PCOC Boating Test Mock Exam 3

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. 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

2. How does the pre-departure checklist tell you to plan your fuel?

   1. Fill to 3/4 to leave room
   2. 1/2 out, 1/2 back
   3. 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 in reserve
   4. Carry exactly what you need

3. When is a boat considered to be overtaking another?

   1. Approaching from over 22.5° abaft the beam
   2. Approaching from directly ahead
   3. Approaching from 10° off the bow
   4. Travelling faster in any direction

4. You are heading downstream toward open water and see a red conical buoy. On which side should it be?

   1. On either side
   2. On your port (left) side
   3. On your starboard (right) side
   4. Directly astern

5. Under the pollution regulations, what must a boat with a toilet have?

   1. A chemical deodorizer only
   2. Nothing if it is under 8 m
   3. A holding tank, sanitation device or storage
   4. A through-hull valve to discharge waste overboard

6. Why are low-head dams so dangerous?

   1. The water above them flows too fast to paddle
   2. They are always clearly marked
   3. The water drops more than 10 m
   4. Circulating currents trap people at the base

7. Environment Canada has issued a storm warning for the lake. What wind speed is expected?

   1. 48 to 63 knots
   2. 20 to 33 knots
   3. 34 to 47 knots
   4. 64 knots or more

8. What is the fine, before provincial surcharges, for operating a pleasure craft that is not licensed or registered when it should be?

   1. $250
   2. $100
   3. $500
   4. $1,000

9. Your boat carries a working VHF marine radio. How does this affect the number of flares you must carry?

   1. It doubles
   2. It does not change
   3. It can be cut by half
   4. Flares are no longer needed

10. 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

11. What does the shape of a special buoy mean?

    1. Cones mark the right side of the channel
    2. Nothing; shapes have no special meaning
    3. Cans mark the left side
    4. Spheres mark safe water

12. Below what length may a boat's red and green sidelights be combined in one lantern?

    1. Under 12 m
    2. Under 6 m
    3. Under 50 m
    4. Under 20 m

13. What do the two cone topmarks on a cardinal buoy tell you?

    1. The direction of the current
    2. Who owns the buoy
    3. The depth of the water
    4. Where to find safe water

14. You haven't returned by the time in your sail plan. Who should your contact call?

    1. Your boat insurance company
    2. Environment Canada
    3. The Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
    4. A Joint Rescue Coordination Centre

15. A ship sounds five or more short, rapid blasts at you. What does it mean?

    1. It doubts you are acting to avoid it
    2. It is about to anchor in the channel
    3. It is greeting you
    4. It is turning to port to let you pass

16. What is the danger of passing between a tug and the barge it is towing?

    1. The tug will sound five blasts
    2. The tow line may be just under the surface
    3. The barge has the right to ram you
    4. Barges never make a wake

17. Why are bilge cleaners a poor fix for oily bilge water?

    1. They are illegal everywhere
    2. They only break oil into smaller drops
    3. They quickly damage the bilge pump seals
    4. They make oil float higher

18. 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

19. A sailboat may show two all-round lights in a vertical line at the top of the mast. What colours are they?

    1. White over red
    2. Red over green
    3. Red over white
    4. Green over red

20. What does 'direct supervision' mean for a young boat operator?

    1. A parent is watching closely from the dock or shore
    2. An adult is in a nearby boat
    3. Someone 18+ is reachable by phone
    4. A competent person 16+ is in the boat supervising

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. How long does a hand flare burn, at a minimum?

    1. 1 minute
    2. 5 minutes
    3. 4 seconds
    4. 10 seconds

23. How long is a 'short blast' on a horn or whistle?

    1. About 3 seconds
    2. About 10 seconds
    3. About 1 second
    4. 4 to 6 seconds

24. When should you use an orange smoke signal?

    1. Only from shore
    2. Only in daylight
    3. Only in thick fog
    4. Only at night

25. How long should you run the engine compartment blower before starting a gasoline inboard?

    1. At least 1 minute
    2. At least 4 minutes
    3. At least 15 minutes
    4. At least 30 seconds

26. How late in the evening may you tow a water-skier?

    1. Until one hour after sunset
    2. Until two hours after sunset
    3. Until midnight
    4. Until it is fully dark

27. Which item is not approved safety equipment on any kind of boat?

    1. A small vessel lifejacket
    2. A lifebuoy
    3. A lifesaving cushion
    4. A buoyant heaving line

28. Which of these is illegal to operate in Canada?

    1. A stand-up paddleboard
    2. A remote-controlled vessel
    3. An airboat used for fun
    4. A kiteboard

29. Which statement about a pleasure craft licence is true?

    1. It replaces the operator card
    2. It is not proof of ownership
    3. It is issued at Service Canada counters
    4. It must be renewed every year

30. What certificate must you hold to operate a marine VHF radio?

    1. Pleasure craft licence
    2. Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime)
    3. Amateur Radio Operator Certificate (Basic)
    4. Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)

31. You will be boating on water colder than 15°C. What kind of PFD does the guide suggest?

    1. One with thermal protection
    2. One with a single chest belt
    3. Any PFD in a dark colour
    4. An inflatable pouch type

32. Your wake swamps a canoe and damages a dock. Who is responsible?

    1. The canoeist, for being there
    2. You, the operator who made the wake
    3. No one; wakes are natural
    4. The dock owner

33. Which boats are not allowed through the St. Lawrence Seaway locks?

    1. Boats with inboard engines
    2. Boats carrying children
    3. Boats under 6 m long
    4. Boats over 12 m long

34. At night you see a tug with a yellow towing light and three white masthead lights in a vertical line. What does this tell you?

    1. It is anchored across a narrow channel
    2. It is fishing with nets
    3. It is not under command
    4. It is towing a tow longer than 200 m

35. On a lake where the 'upstream' direction is hard to tell, which buoys may be the best way to mark a hazard?

    1. Cardinal buoys
    2. Starboard hand buoys
    3. Port hand buoys
    4. Mooring buoys

36. You hear a Mayday and the boat in trouble is already talking directly with search and rescue. What should you do?

    1. Switch to channel 70
    2. Stand by and don't interfere
    3. Repeat their Mayday loudly
    4. Talk over them to offer help