ALABAMA BOATING MAIN EXAMINATION 2026 TEST
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Risk of collision: - ✔✔Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a
collision course (the bearing of the approaching vessel does not change), or anytime
you are approaching a very large vessel
✔✔give-way vessel - ✔✔The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action
to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down or changing course
✔✔stand-on vessel - ✔✔The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it
becomes apparent that the give-way boat is not taking appropriate action; if you must
take action, do not turn toward the give-way boat or cross in front of it
✔✔Meeting Head-On - ✔✔Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should
turn to starboard (the right).
✔✔Paths That Cross - ✔✔The vessel on the operator's port (left) is the give-way vessel.
The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel.
✔✔Overtaking: - ✔✔The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel.
The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.
✔✔Green Colors, Green Lights, and Odd Numbers: - ✔✔These mark the edge of the
channel on your port (left) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream.
Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from the open sea or head
upstream.
✔✔Red Colors, Red Lights, and Even Numbers: - ✔✔These mark the edge of the
channel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from the open sea or head
upstream. Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from the open sea
or head upstream.
✔✔some important things to do when operating a PWC. - ✔✔1. Do not ride too closely
behind another PWC. If it turns sharply or if it stalls, you could collide with it; if the other
rider falls off, you could run over him or her.
2. Always look behind you over both shoulders before making turns; another vessel may
be too close behind you.
3. Be aware of all traffic in your boating area; don't focus just on the short distance
ahead.
4. Always remember that operating a PWC has the same responsibilities as operating
any other vessel.
✔✔Prevent passengers from being thrown overboard accidentally. - ✔✔1. Never start a
boat with the engine in gear.
, 2. Never ride on a seat back, gunwale, transom, or bow.
3. Make sure all passengers are seated properly before getting underway. Some
operators cause injuries by putting the engine in gear while people are still swimming or
diving from the boat.
4. Assign a responsible adult to watch any children in the boat and sound the alarm if a
child falls overboard.
✔✔Reckless Operation may include.... - ✔✔1. Operating a vessel in a swimming area
2. Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
3. Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last
possible moment in order to avoid collision or spray others nearby
4. Jumping the wake of another vessel in a way that endangers another's life, safety, or
property
5. Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
✔✔Improper Speed or Distance - ✔✔1. Operate at an excessive rate of speed in
crowded or dangerous areas or during periods of restricted visibility.
2. Operate a vessel at greater than "slow, no wake speed" in any areas marked as "No
Wake."
3. Operate within 300 feet of a commercial vessel dock at greater than "idle speeds."
4. Jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
✔✔What is the legal BAC? - ✔✔0.08% or greater.
✔✔backfire - ✔✔Explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in
an internal combustion engine
✔✔One short blast - ✔✔tells other boaters "I intend to pass you on my port (left) side."
✔✔Two short blasts - ✔✔tell other boaters "I intend to pass you on my starboard (right)
side."
✔✔Three short blasts - ✔✔tell other boaters, "I am operating astern propulsion." For
some vessels, this tells other boaters, "I am backing up."
✔✔One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes - ✔✔the signal used
by power-driven vessels when underway.
✔✔One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes -
✔✔the signal used by sailing vessels.
✔✔One prolonged blast - ✔✔a warning signal (for example, used when coming around
a blind bend or exiting a slip).
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Risk of collision: - ✔✔Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a
collision course (the bearing of the approaching vessel does not change), or anytime
you are approaching a very large vessel
✔✔give-way vessel - ✔✔The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action
to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down or changing course
✔✔stand-on vessel - ✔✔The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it
becomes apparent that the give-way boat is not taking appropriate action; if you must
take action, do not turn toward the give-way boat or cross in front of it
✔✔Meeting Head-On - ✔✔Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should
turn to starboard (the right).
✔✔Paths That Cross - ✔✔The vessel on the operator's port (left) is the give-way vessel.
The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel.
✔✔Overtaking: - ✔✔The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel.
The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.
✔✔Green Colors, Green Lights, and Odd Numbers: - ✔✔These mark the edge of the
channel on your port (left) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream.
Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from the open sea or head
upstream.
✔✔Red Colors, Red Lights, and Even Numbers: - ✔✔These mark the edge of the
channel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from the open sea or head
upstream. Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from the open sea
or head upstream.
✔✔some important things to do when operating a PWC. - ✔✔1. Do not ride too closely
behind another PWC. If it turns sharply or if it stalls, you could collide with it; if the other
rider falls off, you could run over him or her.
2. Always look behind you over both shoulders before making turns; another vessel may
be too close behind you.
3. Be aware of all traffic in your boating area; don't focus just on the short distance
ahead.
4. Always remember that operating a PWC has the same responsibilities as operating
any other vessel.
✔✔Prevent passengers from being thrown overboard accidentally. - ✔✔1. Never start a
boat with the engine in gear.
, 2. Never ride on a seat back, gunwale, transom, or bow.
3. Make sure all passengers are seated properly before getting underway. Some
operators cause injuries by putting the engine in gear while people are still swimming or
diving from the boat.
4. Assign a responsible adult to watch any children in the boat and sound the alarm if a
child falls overboard.
✔✔Reckless Operation may include.... - ✔✔1. Operating a vessel in a swimming area
2. Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
3. Steering toward another object or person in the water and swerving at the last
possible moment in order to avoid collision or spray others nearby
4. Jumping the wake of another vessel in a way that endangers another's life, safety, or
property
5. Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
✔✔Improper Speed or Distance - ✔✔1. Operate at an excessive rate of speed in
crowded or dangerous areas or during periods of restricted visibility.
2. Operate a vessel at greater than "slow, no wake speed" in any areas marked as "No
Wake."
3. Operate within 300 feet of a commercial vessel dock at greater than "idle speeds."
4. Jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
✔✔What is the legal BAC? - ✔✔0.08% or greater.
✔✔backfire - ✔✔Explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in
an internal combustion engine
✔✔One short blast - ✔✔tells other boaters "I intend to pass you on my port (left) side."
✔✔Two short blasts - ✔✔tell other boaters "I intend to pass you on my starboard (right)
side."
✔✔Three short blasts - ✔✔tell other boaters, "I am operating astern propulsion." For
some vessels, this tells other boaters, "I am backing up."
✔✔One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes - ✔✔the signal used
by power-driven vessels when underway.
✔✔One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes -
✔✔the signal used by sailing vessels.
✔✔One prolonged blast - ✔✔a warning signal (for example, used when coming around
a blind bend or exiting a slip).
