PCOC Boating Test Mock Exam 2

All 36 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. A friend wants you to jump the wake of a passing cruiser for fun. Why does the guide warn against this?

   1. Misjudging speed and distance causes bad crashes
   2. The wave can damage the cruiser's hull and engine
   3. It is only legal on weekdays
   4. It voids your licence

2. Why is firing off expired flares on a calm summer evening a bad way to dispose of them?

   1. It is allowed only on holidays
   2. It is a criminal offence
   3. They will not ignite after expiry
   4. It voids your boat insurance

3. When you take action to avoid a collision, how should you make it?

   1. In many small course changes
   2. Early and large enough to be obvious
   3. Only after sounding five blasts
   4. At the last possible moment

4. Your friend took a boating safety course in Ontario in 1996 and still has her course certificate. Which statement is correct?

   1. The certificate counts as proof of competency
   2. It counts only on Ontario waters
   3. The certificate expired after 10 years
   4. She must pass the PCOC test anyway

5. Which extinguisher can put out a larger fire, a 5BC or a 10BC?

   1. It depends on the brand
   2. The 5BC
   3. The 10BC
   4. They are the same size

6. You apply for a pleasure craft licence online. What lets you go boating while you wait for the licence?

   1. The application receipt, for 90 days
   2. A temporary licence valid for 30 days
   3. Your operator card instead
   4. Nothing; you must wait

7. What colour light does a lighted special buoy show?

   1. White
   2. Red
   3. Green
   4. Yellow

8. How long does a buoyant smoke signal produce orange smoke?

   1. About 3 minutes
   2. About 50 seconds
   3. About 10 minutes
   4. About 30 seconds

9. Which rope meets the rules for a buoyant heaving line?

   1. Any dock line at least 15 m long
   2. The anchor line, if it floats
   3. Two short floating ropes tied together to reach 15 m
   4. One continuous floating rope kept for safety only

10. You smell gasoline fumes in your PWC's engine compartment. What should you do?

    1. Don't start it; have it checked
    2. Open the seat and ride on
    3. Ride slowly to air it out
    4. Start it to burn off the fumes

11. Your boat has an automatic fire extinguishing system in the engine room. Do you still need portable extinguishers?

    1. Only when carrying passengers
    2. No, the automatic system replaces them
    3. Only if the boat is over 12 m or has a cabin
    4. Yes, the required portables are still needed

12. Your 6 m sailboat has no fitted lights and the other options are not practical. What may you use at night?

    1. Your cabin lights
    2. Nothing; sailboats under 7 m are exempt at night
    3. A white light shown in time to avoid a collision
    4. A red flashlight held steady

13. Your new fire extinguisher must show a certification mark from which organization?

    1. Canadian Hydrographic Service
    2. Environment and Climate Change Canada
    3. Canada Border Services Agency
    4. Underwriters Laboratories of Canada

14. It is getting dark and a search plane is circling overhead looking for you. Which signal is best suited to help it find you?

    1. A dye marker
    2. A hand flare
    3. A buoyant smoke signal
    4. A hand-held smoke signal

15. What do the coloured bands on a red and green bifurcation buoy tell you?

    1. The bottom band shows the deeper side
    2. The buoy must be avoided
    3. The top band shows the main channel
    4. It marks a swimming area

16. You plan to ride your PWC on water colder than 15°C. What extra protection is recommended?

    1. A longer tow rope
    2. A brighter helmet
    3. Thermal protection
    4. An inflatable PFD

17. Two sailboats approach each other with the wind on different sides. Which must keep out of the way?

    1. The one to leeward
    2. The larger of the two
    3. The one with the wind on its port side
    4. The one with the wind on its starboard side

18. Your passengers are on board when you pull up to the fuel dock. What should they do while you fuel?

    1. Hold the fuel nozzle
    2. Move up to the bow
    3. Stay seated in the cabin
    4. Go ashore

19. What is the fine for not having proof of competency on board?

    1. $500
    2. $250
    3. $100
    4. $350

20. Which law makes operating a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs a crime?

    1. The Contraventions Act only
    2. The Criminal Code
    3. Provincial park bylaws
    4. The Small Vessel Regulations only

21. Which item can serve as the sound-signalling device on a boat under 12 m?

    1. A metal pot and spoon
    2. A cell phone ringtone
    3. A pealess whistle
    4. A flashlight

22. When are navigation lights required on a pleasure craft?

    1. Only when anchored overnight
    2. Sunset to sunrise and in low visibility
    3. Only when you are over 1 mile from shore
    4. Only on boats over 12 m

23. What is the fine for operating a vessel carelessly, without due care and attention to others?

    1. $1,000
    2. $200
    3. $350
    4. $100

24. Your 4-year-old's PFD leaves a gap of about 10 cm between her shoulders and the device. What does this mean?

    1. It needs to be inflated
    2. It is too big for her
    3. It is too small for her
    4. It fits correctly

25. What is the fine for a 15-year-old who operates a personal watercraft?

    1. $250
    2. $50
    3. $100
    4. $500

26. Your flares are 5 years old. What is the safe way to get rid of them?

    1. Fire them off over open water on Canada Day
    2. Ask the distributor how to return them
    3. Drop them at a fire hall
    4. Sink them in deep water

27. Who should you leave your sail plan (trip plan) with?

    1. A stranger at the boat launch who saw you leave
    2. The marina's fuel attendant
    3. Someone you trust who will act if you're late
    4. Nobody, if the trip is short

28. When is a boater considered impaired, and what penalties apply?

    1. As set by provincial and territorial driving laws
    2. There are no limits on the water
    3. Each marina and harbour authority sets its own limits
    4. The Collision Regulations decide

29. On which side should you normally keep a fairway buoy?

    1. On your port (left) side, either direction
    2. Always directly ahead
    3. Never pass it; go around
    4. On your starboard side going upstream

30. Your power boat meets a sailboat that is under sail. Which boat must keep out of the way?

    1. Your power boat
    2. The sailboat
    3. The larger of the two
    4. The faster of the two

31. You are overtaking a slower boat. Who must keep clear?

    1. The boat being overtaken
    2. Whichever boat is smaller
    3. You, the overtaking boat
    4. Whichever boat is under sail

32. What does a swimming buoy mark?

    1. Deep water for diving
    2. A good place to anchor
    3. The outer limits of a swimming area
    4. A safe channel for small, slow boats

33. What do three short blasts from a power-driven vessel mean?

    1. I am at anchor
    2. I am turning to starboard
    3. I am operating astern propulsion
    4. I am in distress

34. A 15-year-old asks to drive a personal watercraft while her father rides behind her. Is this allowed?

    1. Yes, during daylight only
    2. Yes, with direct supervision
    3. Yes, if the PWC is under 40 hp
    4. No, under 16 cannot operate a PWC

35. You are towing two tubers. How many empty seats must your boat have for them?

    1. None
    2. One
    3. Two
    4. Three

36. You see a white buoy with an orange diamond containing an orange cross. What does it mean?

    1. All vessels are banned from the area
    2. A speed limit is in effect in the area
    3. A rock or shoal lies below
    4. Information about a marina