Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Boating Safety Test
Before you go: practice questions
Our Pleasure Craft Operator Card (Canada) bank has 49 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
You see someone trapped below a low-head dam. You should:
- Wait downstream without calling
- Stay out, call 911 and throw a rope from a safe distance
- Jump in and swim to them
- Drive your boat in close to reach them
Show the answer
B. Stay out, call 911 and throw a rope from a safe distance — Safe Boating Guide: do not enter the area; call 911 and toss a rope or bag from a safe distance or shore.
Question 2
Under the Small Vessel Regulations, before starting a gasoline engine, the engine space blower must run for at least:
- 4 minutes
- 1 minute
- 10 minutes
- 30 seconds
Show the answer
A. 4 minutes — Small Vessel Regulations s. 1001: no person shall start a gasoline-powered vessel before the blower has run for at least four minutes immediately before starting.
Question 3
Which statement about carbon monoxide (CO) is true?
- It always smells like gasoline
- It is only made by diesel engines and by wood-burning stoves
- It rises and escapes quickly
- You can't see, smell or taste it, and it can kill in minutes
Show the answer
D. You can't see, smell or taste it, and it can kill in minutes — Safe Boating Guide: CO is a deadly gas you can't see, smell or taste; it cuts off the body's oxygen and can kill in minutes.
Question 4
In a historic canal, a blue line on the mooring wharf shows:
- The swimming area
- The fuel dock
- Where to wait for the next lockage
- A no-anchoring area for large boats
Show the answer
C. Where to wait for the next lockage — Safe Boating Guide: look for the blue line on the mooring wharf that shows where to wait for the next lockage.
Question 5
Why must you tell the sail plan holder when you return?
- It is required for your pleasure craft licence renewal
- To get a fuel discount
- So they can file your taxes
- Otherwise they may start an unnecessary search
Show the answer
D. Otherwise they may start an unnecessary search — Safe Boating Guide: if you don't, they may start an unnecessary search that keeps rescuers from a real emergency.