Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are on a collision course, who is the stand-on vessel under the Navigation Rules?
- The sailing vessel (Correct answer)
- The power-driven vessel
- The vessel to the right
- The larger vessel
Correct answer: The sailing vessel
Under the Inland Navigation Rules, sailing vessels are generally stand-on over power-driven vessels, which must give way.
Question 2: In Alabama, a boater education certificate is required for operators born on or after:
- January 1, 1978 (Correct answer)
- January 1, 1990
- January 1, 1965
- January 1, 2000
Correct answer: January 1, 1978
Alabama requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1978 to have a boater education certificate to operate a motorized vessel.
Question 3: What signal does one short blast of a horn mean when vessels are in sight of each other?
- I am altering my course to starboard (Correct answer)
- I am altering my course to port
- I am operating in reverse
- I intend to overtake you on your starboard side
Correct answer: I am altering my course to starboard
One short blast signals the vessel's intent to turn to starboard under Inland Navigation Rules.
Question 4: What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) legal limit for boat operators in Alabama?
- .08% (Correct answer)
- .10%
- .06%
- .05%
Correct answer: .08%
Alabama's BUI law mirrors the DUI limit; operating a vessel with a BAC of .08% or higher is illegal.
Question 5: When anchoring at night, a vessel less than 50 meters long must display:
- One all-round white light (Correct answer)
- A red over green masthead light
- Two white lights fore and aft
- No lights are required at anchor
Correct answer: One all-round white light
A vessel under 50 meters at anchor must show a single all-round white light where it can best be seen.
Question 6: Which of the following vessels must yield to all others under Navigation Rules?
- A vessel being overtaken
- A vessel overtaking another (Correct answer)
- A vessel crossing from starboard
- A vessel under sail
Correct answer: A vessel overtaking another
The overtaking vessel must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken in all situations.
Question 7: Alabama law requires a vessel involved in an accident with injuries to render assistance:
- As long as it can be done without serious danger to your own vessel (Correct answer)
- Only if your vessel caused the accident
- Only if requested by the injured party
- Never, to avoid legal liability
Correct answer: As long as it can be done without serious danger to your own vessel
Operators must render all practical assistance to accident victims without endangering their own crew or vessel.
Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 3
When a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are on a collision course, who is the stand-on vessel under the Navigation Rules?