TENNESSEE BOATING TEST FINAL SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Requirements to Carry Fire Extinguishers.
Answer: All vessels, including PWC, are required to have a Type B fire
extinguisher on board if any of the following conditions exist.
Vessel is 26 feet or longer.
Vessel carries passengers for hire.
Vessel has closed compartments under thwarts or seats where portable
fuel tanks may be stored.
Vessel has double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not filled
completely with flotation material.
Vessel has closed living spaces.
Vessel has closed storage compartments where combustible or
flammable materials may be stored.
Vessel has permanently installed fuel tanks (tanks that require the
removal of screws or bolts to remove them from the vessel, or tanks that
when filled cannot be easily or readily handled by one person).
Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following
marking on the label—"Marine Type USCG Approved"—followed by
the type and size symbols and the approval number.
,⩥ Ventilation System Requirements.
Answer: All gasoline-powered vessels, constructed in a way that would
entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls
to remove the fumes. At least one exhaust duct must extend from the
open atmosphere to the lower bilge. At least one intake duct must extend
from a point at least midway to the bilge or below the level of the
carburetor air intake.
If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for
at least four minutes in either of these situations:
After fueling
Before starting the engine
If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (for
example, a PWC), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline
fumes before starting the engine.
⩥ Mufflers and Noise Level Limits.
Answer: All vessel engines must be equipped with an effective muffling
device. Vessel operators may not hear sound signals or voices if the
engine is not adequately muffled.
The noise level of any motorized vessel must not exceed 86 decibels at a
distance of 50 feet or more from the vessel.
The use of cutouts is prohibited.
It is illegal to modify the muffling system if it results in a noise level
greater than the legal limit.
,⩥ Overview of Navigation Lights Law.
Answer: Vessel operators must make sure that their vessels are equipped
with the proper navigation lights and use the lights during these
conditions:
When away from the dock between sunset and sunrise
During periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain
The different types of navigation lights are described in Navigation
Lights in Unit 3. No other lights that may be mistaken for required
navigation lights may be exhibited.
Remember...
Blue or red flashing lights are restricted to use by law enforcement
vessels only.
The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of
your vessel. The common lighting configurations for recreational vessels
are discussed in Unit 3. For other configurations and requirements for
larger vessels, see the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules.
⩥ Lights Required for Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet When
Underway.
, Answer: If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, all motorboats and
sailboats must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 1. The required
lights are:
Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles
away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile
away—on a dark, clear night.
An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead
light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at
least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or
the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet (one meter) higher than the
sidelights. On New Mexico state waters, all motorboats regardless of
length, must have an all-round white light that is higher than the
sidelights as shown.
Remember...
The red and green lighting must conform to the illustration, Figure 1.
Red should be on the left side of the bow and green on the right side of
the bow.
⩥ Lights Required for Unpowered Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet When
Underway.
Answer: Unpowered vessels are sailing vessels or vessels that are
paddled, poled, or rowed.
If less than 65.6 feet long, unpowered vessels, including sailing vessels,
must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 2. The required lights are:
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Requirements to Carry Fire Extinguishers.
Answer: All vessels, including PWC, are required to have a Type B fire
extinguisher on board if any of the following conditions exist.
Vessel is 26 feet or longer.
Vessel carries passengers for hire.
Vessel has closed compartments under thwarts or seats where portable
fuel tanks may be stored.
Vessel has double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not filled
completely with flotation material.
Vessel has closed living spaces.
Vessel has closed storage compartments where combustible or
flammable materials may be stored.
Vessel has permanently installed fuel tanks (tanks that require the
removal of screws or bolts to remove them from the vessel, or tanks that
when filled cannot be easily or readily handled by one person).
Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following
marking on the label—"Marine Type USCG Approved"—followed by
the type and size symbols and the approval number.
,⩥ Ventilation System Requirements.
Answer: All gasoline-powered vessels, constructed in a way that would
entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls
to remove the fumes. At least one exhaust duct must extend from the
open atmosphere to the lower bilge. At least one intake duct must extend
from a point at least midway to the bilge or below the level of the
carburetor air intake.
If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for
at least four minutes in either of these situations:
After fueling
Before starting the engine
If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (for
example, a PWC), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline
fumes before starting the engine.
⩥ Mufflers and Noise Level Limits.
Answer: All vessel engines must be equipped with an effective muffling
device. Vessel operators may not hear sound signals or voices if the
engine is not adequately muffled.
The noise level of any motorized vessel must not exceed 86 decibels at a
distance of 50 feet or more from the vessel.
The use of cutouts is prohibited.
It is illegal to modify the muffling system if it results in a noise level
greater than the legal limit.
,⩥ Overview of Navigation Lights Law.
Answer: Vessel operators must make sure that their vessels are equipped
with the proper navigation lights and use the lights during these
conditions:
When away from the dock between sunset and sunrise
During periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain
The different types of navigation lights are described in Navigation
Lights in Unit 3. No other lights that may be mistaken for required
navigation lights may be exhibited.
Remember...
Blue or red flashing lights are restricted to use by law enforcement
vessels only.
The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of
your vessel. The common lighting configurations for recreational vessels
are discussed in Unit 3. For other configurations and requirements for
larger vessels, see the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules.
⩥ Lights Required for Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet When
Underway.
, Answer: If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, all motorboats and
sailboats must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 1. The required
lights are:
Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles
away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile
away—on a dark, clear night.
An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead
light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at
least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or
the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet (one meter) higher than the
sidelights. On New Mexico state waters, all motorboats regardless of
length, must have an all-round white light that is higher than the
sidelights as shown.
Remember...
The red and green lighting must conform to the illustration, Figure 1.
Red should be on the left side of the bow and green on the right side of
the bow.
⩥ Lights Required for Unpowered Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet When
Underway.
Answer: Unpowered vessels are sailing vessels or vessels that are
paddled, poled, or rowed.
If less than 65.6 feet long, unpowered vessels, including sailing vessels,
must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 2. The required lights are:
