PCOC Boating Test Practice Test 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. Which sound signal indicates distress?

   1. Two short blasts repeated
   2. Three short blasts on a horn
   3. One prolonged blast every 2 minutes
   4. A continuous sound from a fog horn

2. Can a rope you use as a reboarding device also serve as your dock line?

   1. Yes, if it floats
   2. Yes, if it is at least 15 m long and floats
   3. No, it can't be used for anything else
   4. Yes, on boats under 6 m

3. 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

4. Where should you attach the PWC engine shut-off lanyard?

   1. To the handlebars, near the throttle
   2. To your wrist or lifejacket
   3. To the tow hook
   4. To the seat latch

5. What kind of electrical parts must be used on a boat with a gasoline engine?

   1. Any 12-volt parts
   2. Waterproof household parts
   3. Automotive parts
   4. Ignition-protected parts

6. The skier you are about to tow is not wearing a lifejacket. What must you have?

   1. A signed waiver
   2. A second spotter watching the skier
   3. A tow rope over 30 m
   4. A lifejacket on board for them

7. Is it legal to take out a boat you know is not seaworthy?

   1. Yes, if passengers agree
   2. No, it is against the law
   3. Yes, if it is your own boat
   4. Yes, if you stay near shore

8. You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. What are you required to do?

   1. Keep your course and speed
   2. Sound five short blasts
   3. Slow down and stop
   4. Turn away early

9. A neighbour offers to rent you his private boat for the weekend. Can a rental boat safety checklist serve as your proof of competency?

   1. Yes, if you and the owner both sign and date it
   2. No, it only works when renting from a company
   3. Yes, if the boat is under 10 hp
   4. Yes, for up to 45 days

10. Which activity is an exception to the 10 km/h shoreline limit?

    1. Towing a skier straight out from shore at 90°
    2. Riding a PWC in daylight
    3. Fishing within 30 m of shore
    4. Cruising on any lake that is more than 1 km wide

11. Going upstream, you want the left-hand channel at a junction daybeacon marked 'preferred channel to left'. How do you pass it?

    1. Keep it on your port (left) side
    2. Turn back downstream
    3. Keep it on your starboard (right) side
    4. Pass it on either side

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

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

13. 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

14. Which is a sign that someone may be hypothermic?

    1. Feeling very hot
    2. Rapid, deep breathing and sweating
    3. Slurred speech and confusion
    4. A fast, strong pulse

15. A visitor's US-registered boat is on Canadian waters. Which safety equipment rules apply to it?

    1. Canadian rules only
    2. No rules for visitors
    3. Both countries' rules, whichever is stricter
    4. Those of the country where it's kept

16. A 14-year-old wants to wear her mother's inflatable PFD while tubing behind the boat. What is the problem?

    1. It must be inflated before boarding
    2. Nothing; inflatable PFDs suit all ages and activities
    3. Inflatables must be yellow
    4. Inflatables aren't allowed for under-16s or tubing

17. 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

18. When fuelling, which is a green boating habit?

    1. Rinse spills into the water
    2. Fill until fuel overflows
    3. Leave the engine running
    4. Don't top off the tank

19. How does a Mayday call on VHF begin?

    1. 'Help' three times, then your phone number
    2. 'Pan-Pan' twice, then 'Mayday' once
    3. Your location, then 'Mayday' once
    4. 'Mayday' three times, then the boat name three times

20. A seaplane is landing near your boat. Why must you be the one to act?

    1. It must stop for you on the water
    2. It will sound a horn and turn away
    3. It must land next to boats
    4. It can't change course while landing

21. Your 7 m sailboat always stays within sight of navigation marks. Is a magnetic compass required?

    1. No; 8 m or less in sight of marks is exempt
    2. Yes, every sailboat needs one
    3. Only if it sails at night
    4. Yes, every boat over 6 m needs one

22. Over what arc of the horizon does a masthead light shine?

    1. 360 degrees
    2. 112.5 degrees
    3. 225 degrees
    4. 135 degrees

23. What is the purpose of an information buoy?

    1. To mark rocks, shoals and other hazards
    2. To show a locality, marina or campsite
    3. To ban all vessels
    4. To limit boat speed

24. You are new to a lake and the charts don't cover it. Who does the guide suggest you ask about hazards like low-head dams and rapids?

    1. The fuel attendant at a highway gas station
    2. No one; just go slowly
    3. A national weather office
    4. Local residents who know the water

25. Which boat is exempt from the muffler rule near shore?

    1. A boat built before January 1, 1960
    2. Any boat used at night
    3. Any boat under 6 m
    4. Any boat with an inboard engine

26. On the coast, a power-driven ship in sight of you gives one short blast. What does it mean?

    1. I am altering my course to starboard
    2. I doubt your intentions
    3. I am altering my course to port
    4. I am operating astern propulsion

27. Which of these might a yellow cautionary buoy be warning you about?

    1. An aquaculture site
    2. A public swimming beach
    3. The centre of a channel
    4. A safe mooring

28. You have lost your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Who do you contact for a replacement?

    1. The nearest Coast Guard base
    2. Your provincial motor vehicle office
    3. The course provider that issued it
    4. Transport Canada's licensing centre

29. In general, what must a seaplane on the water do?

    1. Stay within marked channels
    2. Hold course while boats give way
    3. Keep well clear of all vessels
    4. Sound one prolonged blast

30. You are about to fire an aerial flare in a strong wind. How should you aim it?

    1. Into the wind, at 45° or less
    2. Toward the nearest boat
    3. Downwind, at a low angle
    4. Straight up, at 90°

31. Which authorities enforce boating laws in Canada?

    1. RCMP, provincial and municipal police
    2. Marina owners
    3. Only the Canadian Coast Guard
    4. Only Transport Canada inspectors

32. Which pleasure craft must carry a hull serial number?

    1. Only boats built after 2010
    2. Those made or imported after April 29, 1981
    3. Only boats longer than 6 m
    4. Only boats with motors over 10 hp

33. You see a distress flare from another boat. What does the law require of you?

    1. Only tell your marina later
    2. Help if you can do so safely
    3. Help only if you have a radio licence
    4. Nothing, unless you are closest

34. How many types of lateral buoys are there?

    1. Two
    2. Four
    3. Six
    4. Eight

35. You boat only on a small lake where you can never be more than 1 nautical mile from shore. What is true about flares?

    1. Flares are not required
    2. You still need 3 flares
    3. You need smoke signals only
    4. You need 6 flares at night

36. How close to a lock structure may you tow a water-skier in a historic canal?

    1. No closer than 10 m
    2. No closer than 40 m
    3. No closer than 100 m
    4. Anywhere in the channel