ILEARNTOBOAT EXAM SCRIPT 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔You see a buoy with both red and green bands. What does this buoy mark? - ✔✔the
junction of two channels
✔✔You see a white marker with red vertical stripes. What type of marker is this? -
✔✔safe water marker
✔✔You see a white marker with black vertical stripes. What should you do? - ✔✔Do not
pass between the marker and the shore.
✔✔What is the best way to avoid being run over by your own PWC or motorboat? -
✔✔Wear an engine cut-off switch lanyard.
✔✔When is it difficult to reboard a PWC? - ✔✔when you are very tired
✔✔You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine? - ✔✔You will
keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
✔✔What is needed for steering control on a PWC? - ✔✔power to the jet drive
✔✔Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair? - ✔✔pump intake
area
✔✔Which of these is most likely to create a boating hazard around river bridges? -
✔✔debris collecting around pilings
✔✔Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat? - ✔✔in a readily
accessible location
✔✔What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Naval vessel? - ✔✔100
yards
✔✔Which PFDs would be considered readily accessible? - ✔✔PFDs located within
easy reach of everyone on board
✔✔What determines how many wearable PFDs are required on board a vessel? -
✔✔number of people on board
✔✔Which PFD is designed to be thrown to someone in the water? - ✔✔ring buoy
✔✔When is the best time to wear a PFD? - ✔✔at all times
, ✔✔Which of the following is a non-pyrotechnic VDS that is approved for use during the
day? - ✔✔distress flag
✔✔What is the first action required of a boat operator who is involved in a boating
accident? - ✔✔to provide assistance
✔✔Which of the following is legal? - ✔✔disposing of oil waste at an approved facility
✔✔To minimize the risk of an accident, what should you do if your group plans to
consume alcohol? - ✔✔Have a non-drinker operate the vessel.
✔✔How does the effect of alcohol while boating compare to its effect while on land? -
✔✔The effect is increased while boating.
✔✔Falling overboard is a major risk on small boats. How can you reduce this risk? -
✔✔Balance the weight of people and gear.
✔✔Where would a boat produce the highest concentration of carbon monoxide? -
✔✔near the engine and generator exhaust outlets
✔✔What type of fire can be put out safely with water? - ✔✔wood
✔✔When should you discard a PFD? - ✔✔when it has a torn strap
✔✔When you are boating on a lake and the weather turns bad, what should you do
first? - ✔✔Be sure all on board are wearing USCG-approved PFDs.
✔✔What should you do after your boat runs aground and you determine that there are
no leaks? - ✔✔Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook.
✔✔You are caught in a storm in your boat. Your engine stops. What should you do? -
✔✔Drop a sea anchor off the bow.
✔✔Which of these should be part of a pre-departure checklist? - ✔✔making sure you
have enough PFDs
✔✔What precaution should anglers and hunters take when fishing or hunting on cold
water? - ✔✔Wear several layers under their PFDs.
✔✔What should you do if you encounter a fishing boat while out in your vessel? -
✔✔Avoid making a large wake.
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔You see a buoy with both red and green bands. What does this buoy mark? - ✔✔the
junction of two channels
✔✔You see a white marker with red vertical stripes. What type of marker is this? -
✔✔safe water marker
✔✔You see a white marker with black vertical stripes. What should you do? - ✔✔Do not
pass between the marker and the shore.
✔✔What is the best way to avoid being run over by your own PWC or motorboat? -
✔✔Wear an engine cut-off switch lanyard.
✔✔When is it difficult to reboard a PWC? - ✔✔when you are very tired
✔✔You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine? - ✔✔You will
keep going in the same direction with no steering control.
✔✔What is needed for steering control on a PWC? - ✔✔power to the jet drive
✔✔Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair? - ✔✔pump intake
area
✔✔Which of these is most likely to create a boating hazard around river bridges? -
✔✔debris collecting around pilings
✔✔Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat? - ✔✔in a readily
accessible location
✔✔What minimum distance must be maintained from a U.S. Naval vessel? - ✔✔100
yards
✔✔Which PFDs would be considered readily accessible? - ✔✔PFDs located within
easy reach of everyone on board
✔✔What determines how many wearable PFDs are required on board a vessel? -
✔✔number of people on board
✔✔Which PFD is designed to be thrown to someone in the water? - ✔✔ring buoy
✔✔When is the best time to wear a PFD? - ✔✔at all times
, ✔✔Which of the following is a non-pyrotechnic VDS that is approved for use during the
day? - ✔✔distress flag
✔✔What is the first action required of a boat operator who is involved in a boating
accident? - ✔✔to provide assistance
✔✔Which of the following is legal? - ✔✔disposing of oil waste at an approved facility
✔✔To minimize the risk of an accident, what should you do if your group plans to
consume alcohol? - ✔✔Have a non-drinker operate the vessel.
✔✔How does the effect of alcohol while boating compare to its effect while on land? -
✔✔The effect is increased while boating.
✔✔Falling overboard is a major risk on small boats. How can you reduce this risk? -
✔✔Balance the weight of people and gear.
✔✔Where would a boat produce the highest concentration of carbon monoxide? -
✔✔near the engine and generator exhaust outlets
✔✔What type of fire can be put out safely with water? - ✔✔wood
✔✔When should you discard a PFD? - ✔✔when it has a torn strap
✔✔When you are boating on a lake and the weather turns bad, what should you do
first? - ✔✔Be sure all on board are wearing USCG-approved PFDs.
✔✔What should you do after your boat runs aground and you determine that there are
no leaks? - ✔✔Try to shove off with a paddle or boathook.
✔✔You are caught in a storm in your boat. Your engine stops. What should you do? -
✔✔Drop a sea anchor off the bow.
✔✔Which of these should be part of a pre-departure checklist? - ✔✔making sure you
have enough PFDs
✔✔What precaution should anglers and hunters take when fishing or hunting on cold
water? - ✔✔Wear several layers under their PFDs.
✔✔What should you do if you encounter a fishing boat while out in your vessel? -
✔✔Avoid making a large wake.
