US boating license: state boater education cards

Practice questions (with answers)

1. Risk of collision is deemed to exist when:

   1. AThe compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
   2. BTwo vessels are within 5 nautical miles
   3. CA vessel is detected on radar
   4. DAnother vessel is visible
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   Correct answer: A. The compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change

   Rule 7(d)(i): risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change.

2. If circumstances admit, action to avoid collision shall be:

   1. AMinimal to conserve fuel
   2. BPositive, made in ample time
   3. CDelayed until the last safe moment
   4. DA series of small course adjustments
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   Correct answer: B. Positive, made in ample time

   Rule 8(a) requires action in accordance with Part B and, if circumstances admit, positive action made in ample time with due regard to good seamanship.

3. In a narrow channel, a vessel should keep to:

   1. AThe centre line of the channel, so as to keep well clear of both banks
   2. BAs near the outer limit on her port side as is safe and practicable
   3. CAs near the outer limit on her starboard side as is safe and practicable
   4. DWhichever side of the channel offers the deeper water and the most room to manoeuvre
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   Correct answer: C. As near the outer limit on her starboard side as is safe and practicable

   Rule 9(a): a vessel shall keep as near to the outer limit on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

4. When obliged to cross a traffic lane, what heading should a vessel use?

   1. AAt the shallowest angle possible
   2. BParallel to the traffic flow
   3. CAs nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow
   4. DOnly during daylight hours
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   Correct answer: C. As nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow

   Rule 10(c): avoid crossing traffic lanes so far as practicable; if obliged to cross, use a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This specifies heading, not ground track.

5. In IALA Region A, the port-hand mark colour is:

   1. AGreen, usually conical
   2. BRed, usually can-shaped
   3. CYellow, with an X-shaped topmark
   4. DBlack, with red bands
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   Correct answer: B. Red, usually can-shaped

   Region A: port-hand red, starboard-hand green. Region B: port-hand green, starboard-hand red. Interpret both in the charted conventional direction of buoyage.

6. A North Cardinal mark indicates safe water lies to the:

   1. ASouth of the mark
   2. BEast of the mark
   3. CNorth of the mark
   4. DWest of the mark
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   Correct answer: C. North of the mark

   Cardinal marks indicate safe water lies on the named side: North cardinal = pass to the north.

7. You are entering a river where the chart shows the conventional direction of buoyage is upstream from the sea entrance. What should determine whether a lateral mark is port-hand or starboard-hand?

   1. AThe side of the river where the town lies
   2. BThe vessel's heading at the moment
   3. CThe charted conventional direction of buoyage
   4. DThe direction the tidal stream is setting at that moment
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   Correct answer: C. The charted conventional direction of buoyage

   Lateral marks are interpreted in the conventional direction of buoyage. The chart, not guesswork, determines which side is port-hand and which is starboard-hand.

8. You sight a cardinal mark with both cones pointing down and a light showing six quick flashes followed by one long flash. What is the safe action?

   1. APass north of the mark
   2. BPass east of the mark
   3. CPass south of the mark
   4. DTreat it as an isolated danger mark
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   Correct answer: C. Pass south of the mark

   Two cones down and the 6+1 light rhythm identify a South Cardinal mark, meaning the safe water lies to the south of the mark.

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