Boater Education Card Exam (NASBLA-approved boating safety course)
Other water activities: practice questions
Our Boater Education Card (U.S.) bank has 10 questions on this topic. Here are 3 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Another boater asks you to tow their disabled boat. Which statement matches NASBLA guidance?
- Towing is safe in any weather
- You must tow any boat that asks
- You are not obliged to tow; calling the Coast Guard or a tow service may be safest
- Only boats over 26 feet may be towed
Show the answer
C. You are not obliged to tow; calling the Coast Guard or a tow service may be safest — NASBLA technical report (7.7.1): you are not obligated to tow another vessel; help as a Good Samaritan without endangering your crew, for example by contacting the Coast Guard or a professional tow service.
Question 2
The blue-and-white International Code flag 'A' flown from a vessel means:
- The vessel has a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed
- The vessel is at anchor
- The vessel is aground
- The vessel needs fuel
Show the answer
A. The vessel has a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed — NASBLA 8.1 names the International Code Flag A. Rule 27(e) uses a rigid flag A for small vessels in diving operations.
Question 3
What does a red flag with a white diagonal stripe mean?
- A water skier is down in the water
- No fishing
- A diver is down in the area
- Swimming beach
Show the answer
C. A diver is down in the area — State laws such as New York Navigation Law section 45 define a red flag with a diagonal white bar as indicating underwater diving; NASBLA 8.1 requires boaters to recognize it.