PCOC Boating Test Practice Test 7

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. 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

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

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

3. Whales surface near your boat while you are fishing. What does the guide ask you to do?

   1. Haul up your gear quickly
   2. Speed away at full throttle
   3. Toss them some bait
   4. Stop fishing but leave your gear in

4. 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

5. On which side of a narrow channel should you keep when travelling along it?

   1. The middle of the channel
   2. The port (left) side
   3. The starboard (right) side
   4. Whichever side is deeper

6. What shape is a typical green port hand buoy?

   1. A diamond
   2. A cone
   3. A can
   4. A sphere

7. Which VHF channels carry continuous marine weather on the Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes?

   1. 16 and 70
   2. 21B and 83B
   3. 9 and 22A
   4. 68 and 72

8. 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

9. What must you do with your engine while in a lock chamber?

   1. Keep it in gear to hold position
   2. Rev it to charge the battery
   3. Switch it off until staff say restart
   4. Keep it idling in neutral

10. What is the minimum water depth the guide recommends for riding a PWC?

    1. 76 cm (30 in)
    2. 1.5 m (5 ft)
    3. 30 cm (12 in)
    4. 50 cm (20 in)

11. About how long does the cold shock stage last?

    1. About 10 minutes
    2. About 10 seconds
    3. About 1 hour
    4. About 1 minute

12. Which class of fire involves burning liquids such as gasoline, oil or grease?

    1. Class D
    2. Class A
    3. Class C
    4. Class B

13. You are anchoring in moderate to rough seas in 6 m of water. About how much anchor line should you let out?

    1. About 18 m
    2. About 6 m
    3. About 30 m
    4. About 60 m

14. You are heading upstream, returning from open water. On which side should you keep a red buoy?

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

15. What colour light do special buoys such as swimming or control buoys show?

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

16. Which anchor type is meant only for semi-permanent moorings?

    1. Plow (CQR) anchor
    2. Folding grapple
    3. Mushroom anchor
    4. Claw (Bruce) anchor

17. In the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean there?

    1. I am altering course to port
    2. I intend to leave you on my port side
    3. I am operating astern propulsion
    4. I will leave you on my starboard side

18. You see a white buoy with an orange circle and a black '10' inside it. What does it mean?

    1. A swimming area ahead
    2. Keep out of the area
    3. An information buoy: a marina 10 km away
    4. A control buoy: obey the 10 km/h limit

19. What can happen to someone who sends a false distress signal?

    1. A verbal warning only
    2. A free courtesy check
    3. Criminal Code charges
    4. A $50 fine only

20. 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

21. Under the Collision Regulations, how must every vessel keep a lookout?

    1. By sight and hearing at all times
    2. Only in busy channels
    3. Only when over 12 m long
    4. By radar alone, but only at night

22. You will paddleboard on a river with current. Where does the guide suggest attaching your leash?

    1. To the paddle shaft
    2. Around the ankle, as on flat water
    3. Around the knee, under a wetsuit
    4. At the waist, with a quick release

23. You are heading out in a boat with a 90 hp outboard. Which documents should you bring?

    1. Driver's licence, registration and receipt
    2. Only the Pleasure Craft Operator Card
    3. Proof of competency, ID and the boat's licence
    4. Proof of competency, ID and car insurance

24. What does the guide call the only safe speed in fog, mist, smoke or darkness?

    1. Planing speed
    2. The posted limit
    3. Full throttle to clear it
    4. Slow

25. Which safety feature should you look for on a child's lifejacket?

    1. A detachable hood
    2. A built-in inflation cartridge
    3. A dark navy shell
    4. A safety strap between the legs

26. 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

27. You buy a used boat with a 25 hp outboard that you will keep and use in Canada. What does it need?

    1. A pleasure craft licence
    2. Only a hull serial number
    3. Nothing; under 50 hp is exempt
    4. A provincial boat permit

28. Which object should never be used as a buoy?

    1. A rigid plastic foam buoy
    2. A bleach jug or steel drum
    3. A moulded plastic buoy
    4. A commercially made spar buoy

29. How long does a completed rental boat safety checklist count as proof of competency?

    1. For one full boating season
    2. For 30 days
    3. Only for the rental period
    4. For life

30. Your engine has failed and you are drifting toward a shipping lane, but everyone is safe. Which call fits best?

    1. No call is needed
    2. Sécurité
    3. Pan-Pan
    4. Mayday

31. How should flares be stored on board?

    1. Upright in a cool, dry place within reach
    2. In the trunk of your car
    3. Loose in the bilge, where they stay cool and dark
    4. Next to the engine to stay dry

32. 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

33. In fog, which signal does a sailing vessel sound?

    1. 1 prolonged blast every 2 minutes
    2. 2 prolonged blasts about 2 seconds apart
    3. 1 prolonged followed by 2 short blasts
    4. 4 short blasts

34. 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

35. About what share of Canadian boaters who drown were in water colder than 20°C?

    1. About 50%
    2. About 30%
    3. About 94%
    4. About 75%

36. Your multi-star flares launch only one star each. What must you do to meet the requirement?

    1. Carry one extra flashlight
    2. Replace them with smoke signals
    3. Nothing; one star is enough
    4. Carry twice as many cartridges