Boater Education Card Exam (NASBLA-approved boating safety course)
Navigation rules: practice questions
Our Boater Education Card (U.S.) bank has 62 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
When may you depart from the Navigation Rules?
- Whenever traffic is light
- Never, not even to avoid a collision
- When necessary to avoid immediate danger
- When you are in a hurry
Show the answer
C. When necessary to avoid immediate danger — Rule 2(b): due regard shall be had to dangers and special circumstances that may make a departure from the Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.
Question 2
Which is an example of a vessel 'restricted in her ability to maneuver'?
- A dredge working in a channel
- A sailboat in light wind
- A bass boat trolling
- A boat with engine trouble drifting
Show the answer
A. A dredge working in a channel — Rule 3(g) lists vessels laying cables or buoys, dredging, surveying, underwater operations, replenishment, launching aircraft, mine clearance and certain towing.
Question 3
In a narrow channel, a vessel should keep:
- As near as is safe to the outer limit of the channel on its starboard side
- Wherever the water looks deepest
- In the middle of the channel
- Near the left edge of the channel
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A. As near as is safe to the outer limit of the channel on its starboard side — Rule 9(a)(i): keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
Question 4
A boat trolling with fishing lines is treated under the Rules as:
- A vessel engaged in fishing that has the right of way over powerboats
- An ordinary vessel, not a vessel 'engaged in fishing'
- A vessel not under command
- A vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
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B. An ordinary vessel, not a vessel 'engaged in fishing' — Rule 3(d): 'vessel engaged in fishing' excludes a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other gear that does not restrict maneuverability.
Question 5
In fog, you hear another vessel's fog signal apparently forward of your beam. You should:
- Sound five short blasts and hold your present course and speed
- Turn sharply toward the sound
- Speed up to get past it
- Reduce to the minimum speed needed to keep on course
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D. Reduce to the minimum speed needed to keep on course — Rule 19(e): reduce speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on course, take all way off if necessary, and navigate with extreme caution.