semplr.

Exams · Certifications · Licensing

Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Boating Safety Test

Minimum safety equipment: practice questions

Our Pleasure Craft Operator Card (Canada) bank has 77 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

Start the free mock exam

Question 1

On rivers and moving water, a paddleboard leash should be:

  1. Waist-mounted with a quick release
  2. Tied to a rock
  3. Left off entirely and the PFD removed
  4. Attached to the ankle
Show the answer

A. Waist-mounted with a quick release — Safe Boating Guide: in moving water use a waist-mounted leash with a quick-release or auto-fail mechanism; ankle leashes are only for flat, calm water.

Question 2

What do the new shared lifejacket labels mean for boaters?

  1. Devices with the new labels are approved in both Canada and the U.S.
  2. They are approved in Europe only
  3. They need a new approval every year in each country
  4. They are approved in the U.S. only
Show the answer

A. Devices with the new labels are approved in both Canada and the U.S. — Safe Boating Guide: lifejackets and PFDs with the new labels are approved for use in both Canada and the United States.

Question 3

A power boat under 6 m needs a 5BC fire extinguisher if it has:

  1. An inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank, or a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance
  2. A paddle
  3. A cell phone
  4. Only an outboard with a portable tank
Show the answer

A. An inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank, or a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance — Safe Boating Guide table 4: up to 6 m, one 5BC extinguisher if it has an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank of any size, or a fuel-burning appliance.

Question 4

When should a smoke signal be used?

  1. Only in daylight
  2. Any time
  3. Only at night or in fog
  4. Only in fog
Show the answer

A. Only in daylight — Safe Boating Guide: smoke signals create dense orange smoke and are only for daylight use.

Question 5

Some multi-star flares fire one star at a time. To use these, you must:

  1. Carry half as many
  2. Fire them downwind
  3. Fire 2 within 15 seconds and carry double the cartridges
  4. Fire them only in daylight, and only in calm weather
Show the answer

C. Fire 2 within 15 seconds and carry double the cartridges — Safe Boating Guide: when using a single-star type you must fire 2 flares within 15 seconds of each other, doubling the number of cartridges.

More Pleasure Craft Operator Card (Canada) topics