Boating Certification Test Boat Operation & Maneuvering 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When docking a single-engine outboard boat with a right-hand propeller, you should approach the dock from which direction to use prop walk to your advantage?
- Port side
- Starboard side (Correct answer)
- Directly head-on
- From astern
Correct answer: Starboard side
A right-hand propeller in reverse pulls the stern to port, so approaching with the dock on the starboard side lets prop walk assist in docking.
Question 2: What is the recommended technique for making a sharp turn at low speed in a powerboat?
- Apply full throttle before turning
- Turn the wheel hard and apply a brief burst of forward throttle (Correct answer)
- Shift to neutral and use momentum only
- Apply reverse throttle while turning
Correct answer: Turn the wheel hard and apply a brief burst of forward throttle
A brief burst of forward throttle while turning hard provides water flow over the rudder or steering mechanism, improving turning response at low speed.
Question 3: When operating in a narrow channel, a vessel should keep to which side of the channel?
- The center of the channel
- The starboard (right) side (Correct answer)
- The port (left) side
- Either side, depending on traffic
Correct answer: The starboard (right) side
Rule 9 of the COLREGS requires vessels in narrow channels to keep as far to the starboard side of the channel as is safe and practicable.
Question 4: What is 'cavitation' in the context of boat propulsion?
- A cavity forming in the hull from water pressure
- Formation of vapor bubbles on the propeller blades that collapse and cause damage (Correct answer)
- Air being trapped under the boat's hull
- A steering failure caused by loss of water pressure
Correct answer: Formation of vapor bubbles on the propeller blades that collapse and cause damage
Cavitation occurs when low pressure on the propeller blade causes water to vaporize, forming bubbles that implode and erode the propeller surface.
Question 5: You are traveling upstream on a river and meet a downbound vessel. Which vessel has the right of way?
- The upstream vessel, because it has the current in its favor
- The downbound vessel, because it has less maneuverability due to the current (Correct answer)
- The larger vessel always has right of way on rivers
- The vessel that sounds one blast first
Correct answer: The downbound vessel, because it has less maneuverability due to the current
Vessels proceeding downstream (downbound) with a following current have restricted maneuverability and are given right of way over upbound vessels on rivers.
Question 6: What is the proper response when your boat's engine fails in a shipping lane?
- Anchor immediately in the shipping lane
- Display the signal for a vessel not under command and move out of the lane if possible (Correct answer)
- Sound five short blasts continuously
- Hoist a white flag to signal distress
Correct answer: Display the signal for a vessel not under command and move out of the lane if possible
A vessel not under command must display two all-round red lights or two black balls and take steps to move out of the shipping lane as soon as possible.
Question 7: When operating a PWC (personal watercraft), how does steering differ from a conventional motorboat?
- PWC steering works the same as any outboard motor
- PWC requires throttle to be applied to steer; no thrust means no steering control (Correct answer)
- PWC uses a rudder system for steering independent of throttle
- PWC can only be steered by shifting body weight
Correct answer: PWC requires throttle to be applied to steer; no thrust means no steering control
PWC are jet-propelled and steer by directing the jet stream; releasing the throttle cuts jet flow, eliminating steering control even though the craft continues moving.
