Boat Test 101 covers essential boating safety, terminology, and regulations for operating powerboats and PWCs, focusing on navigation rules, safety equipment, and preventing collisions. Key topics include recognizing vessel parts, understanding right-of-way rules, and maintaining a proper lookout. Passing requires knowing safety laws for passengers, PFD usage, and legal operation hours.
Florida Boating Safety Card – Test Study Guide
Page 1 of 7
The motor on a PWC is running. Which part of the PWC can cause severe internal injuries?
Answer: steering nozzle
Vessel operators involved in a reportable boating accident must report the accident by the quickest
means possible to:
Answer: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Law Enforcement,
the sheriff of the county where the accident occurred, the police department of the
municipality in which the accident occurred
It is illegal to operate which of the following while impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs?
Answer: any size vessel, personal watercraft, water skis
A boat's capacity plate gives the maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely in
certain weather conditions. What are these conditions?
Answer: good weather
When you see a red flag or buoy with a white diagonal stripe (divers-down symbol), you must:
Answer: slow to idle speed if you must come within 100 feet of the flag in a channel --AND--
slow to idle speed when operating within 300 feet of the flag in open water
Operators required to have a Boating Safety Education ID Card must carry it along with a _____ on
board.
Answer: photographic identification card
What is the main function of an engine cut-off switch?
Answer: to shut off the engine if the operator is thrown overboard
Your boat capsizes but remains afloat. What should you do?
Answer: Hang onto the boat or climb onto it.
What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher?
Answer: Aim at the base of the flames. Sweep side to side.
When boating in shallow areas or seagrass beds, you see a mud trail in your wake where your boat has
churned up the bottom. If you see this trail, you should:
Answer: stop your vessel and pole or walk it out of the area
Florida Boating Safety Card – Test Study Guide
Page 2 of 7
What do lateral markers indicate?
Answer: the edges of safe water areas
You see a white buoy with orange bands and an orange diamond. What should you do?
Answer: Stay at least 700 feet away from it.
In addition to an all-round white light, which light or lights must power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet
(20 meters) long exhibit when underway between sunset and sunrise?
Answer: red and green sidelights
A powerboat is about to cross paths with a sailboat under sail. What should the powerboat do?
Answer: Do whatever is necessary to stay clear of the sailboat.
What should the operator of a give-way vessel do to avoid colliding with a stand-on vessel?
Answer: Take early and substantial action to stay well clear.
According to Florida regulations regarding obstructions to navigation, it is illegal to attach your vessel to
which of the following?
Answer: a lateral buoy or non-lateral marker
Children under _____ years of age must wear a life jacket while on a boat less than 26 feet in length
while underway.
Answer: 6
Which statement about PFDs is true?
Answer: PFDs are difficult to put on in the water.
What is your primary responsibility when other boats are in your area?
Answer: to keep a proper lookout and avoid a collision
Which of the following is legal when operating a PWC?
Answer: attaching the lanyard of a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch to the operator's PFD
In Florida, which is these is NOT legal on a PWC?
Answer: wearing an inflatable PFD
Florida Boating Safety Card – Test Study Guide
Page 3 of 7
Florida law prohibits anyone under the age of _____ from operating a personal watercraft (PWC):
Answer: 14
You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine?
Answer: You will keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?
Answer: drive shaft
Which of these is the most common cause of fatal boating accidents in Florida?
Answer: bad weather
If involved in a boating accident causing serious bodily injury or death while boating under the influence,
the operator has committed a _____.
Answer: felony
What should you do to avoid colliding with another boat?
Answer: Look in all directions before making any turn.
What is the important safety information found on a boat's capacity plate?
Answer: maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
In Florida, what does the state divers-down symbol look like?
Answer: red with white diagonal stripe
Florida law requires a person born on or after January 1, 1988, who is operating a boat powered by a
motor of 10 horsepower or greater on Florida waters to:
Answer: successfully complete an approved boating safety course and to obtain and have on
board a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card and photographic ID card
What is the purpose of a lanyard attached to an engine cut-off switch?
Answer: to shut off the engine if the operator falls overboard
What is most likely to cause someone to fall overboard?
Answer: standing up in a boat
