PCOC Boating Test Practice Test 5

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. Why is boating near overhead power lines especially risky at night?

   1. Power is shut off at night
   2. Lines are higher at night
   3. Lines sag into the water
   4. The lines are harder to see

2. Three people are in cold water after capsizing. What position helps them keep warm and stay together?

   1. Floating spread out apart
   2. Swimming in a circle
   3. The huddle position
   4. Holding hands at arm's length

3. Your boat is under way when a fire starts at the stern. How should you position the boat?

   1. So the fire is downwind of you
   2. So the fire is upwind of you
   3. Head straight into the waves
   4. Turn broadside to the wind

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

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

5. You see someone dumping oil from a boat. Who should you report it to?

   1. The marina's fuel attendant
   2. The boat's manufacturer
   3. A Pollution Prevention Officer
   4. Your insurance company

6. Why is a cell phone not a substitute for a marine radio in a distress situation?

   1. It can't reach the Coast Guard
   2. It is illegal on the water
   3. It works only in daylight
   4. It won't alert nearby vessels

7. A boating restriction sign is arrow-shaped. What does that mean?

   1. A marina or boat launch is in that direction
   2. You must turn that way
   3. It applies in the arrow's direction
   4. It applies only at night

8. What kind of numbers does a red starboard hand buoy carry?

   1. Letters only
   2. Odd numbers
   3. Compass bearings
   4. Even numbers

9. Going upstream, you reach a bifurcation buoy whose top band is red. To stay in the main channel, how do you pass it?

   1. Stop and wait for a signal
   2. Keep it on your starboard (right) side
   3. Keep it on your port (left) side
   4. Pass it on either side

10. What should you do when lighting a hand flare?

    1. Hold it over the deck, upwind
    2. Hold it clear of the boat, downwind
    3. Look straight at it to aim it
    4. Drop it in the water first

11. Before buying a used boat privately, what check does the guide recommend to avoid buying a stolen boat?

    1. Check the seller's insurance policy
    2. Ask Service Canada for its history
    3. Call the Canadian Coast Guard
    4. Search the CPIC stolen boat database

12. 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

13. What kind of danger does a cautionary buoy warn you about?

    1. A spot to tie up your boat
    2. The outer edge of a beach
    3. Firing ranges or seaplane bases
    4. Safe water at a channel entrance

14. An 11-year-old wants to drive the family boat with no one aged 16 or older aboard supervising. What is the largest motor allowed?

    1. 40 hp (30 kW)
    2. 25 hp (18.5 kW)
    3. 10 hp (7.5 kW)
    4. No motor at all

15. As you come alongside a person in the water, what should you do with the engine?

    1. Put it in neutral
    2. Raise it while running
    3. Put it in reverse
    4. Keep it in forward gear

16. Within what distance of shore must a boat with a modified engine use a working muffler?

    1. 500 m
    2. 5 nautical miles (9.26 km)
    3. 1 nautical mile (1.85 km)
    4. 10 nautical miles (18.5 km)

17. What does the black symbol inside the orange circle of a control buoy show?

    1. The distance to shore
    2. The buoy owner's name and phone number
    3. The water depth
    4. The boating restriction in effect

18. 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

19. What lights may a canoe or kayak show when paddling at night?

    1. No lights are needed
    2. A white flashlight or lantern, shown in time
    3. A flashing yellow light mounted on the stern
    4. A red and green bow light only

20. In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel making way through the water sound?

    1. 5 short blasts every 2 minutes
    2. 1 short blast every 30 seconds
    3. 2 prolonged blasts at most 2 minutes apart
    4. 1 prolonged blast at most 2 minutes apart

21. Which of these counts as a manual propelling device?

    1. A second outboard motor
    2. A paddle
    3. A spare fuel tank
    4. A spare spark plug

22. The compliance notice on your 5 m boat shows recommended safe limits. When do those limits apply?

    1. Only on inland lakes
    2. In good sea and weather conditions
    3. Only when the boat is at anchor
    4. In any weather, day or night

23. Which is the right way to dry and store a lifejacket?

    1. Store it wet in a sealed locker
    2. Dry it on the engine cover
    3. Dry clean it after each season
    4. Air dry away from direct heat, store dry

24. Heading upstream, you want to take the channel to your right at a junction daybeacon marked 'preferred channel to right'. How do you pass it?

    1. Keep it on your port (left) side
    2. Pass directly over it
    3. Keep it on your starboard (right) side
    4. Stop and sound one blast

25. You are crossing a river in Canadian waters while a power-driven vessel is heading down the river. Who keeps out of the way?

    1. The vessel going downriver
    2. Whichever boat is larger
    3. Whichever is on the other's port side
    4. You, the boat crossing the river

26. Two power-driven boats are crossing paths. The other boat is on your starboard (right) side. What must you do?

    1. Hold your course and speed
    2. Speed up and cross ahead
    3. Keep out of its way
    4. Turn to port toward it

27. Before moving your boat to another lake, what must you do?

    1. Clean, drain and dry it
    2. Wax the hull
    3. Change the oil
    4. Refill the fuel tank

28. Your boat is on fire and the fire is spreading. Which call should you make?

    1. Mayday
    2. Sécurité
    3. A radio check
    4. Pan-Pan

29. In which province are boating offences dealt with in court, with fines up to $25,000, instead of by ticket?

    1. Nova Scotia
    2. Ontario
    3. British Columbia
    4. Alberta

30. Before you leave the dock, how many other people on board should know how to operate the boat?

    1. Everyone over 12
    2. At least one
    3. None; that is your job
    4. Only adults with a PCOC

31. 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

32. What should you do with old halon fire equipment on your boat?

    1. Replace it with safer equipment
    2. Store it in the cabin
    3. Refill it every year
    4. Keep it as your main extinguisher

33. 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

34. 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

35. On a summer afternoon the sky darkens quickly and the wind is picking up. What should you do?

    1. Turn off your radio to save power
    2. Speed up to finish your route
    3. Anchor in open water and wait
    4. Head for shore or shelter

36. Over what arc of the horizon does a sternlight shine?

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