Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A green buoy with an odd number marks which side of the channel when you are heading upstream or returning from sea?
- The port (left) side (Correct answer)
- The starboard (right) side
- The center of the channel
- A submerged hazard
Correct answer: The port (left) side
Green buoys with odd numbers mark the port side of the channel when returning from open water.
Question 2: What minimum safety equipment must vessels under 26 feet carry in addition to PFDs in Alabama?
- A fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, and a sound-producing device (Correct answer)
- A radar reflector and anchor only
- A first aid kit and flares only
- An EPIRB and life raft
Correct answer: A fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, and a sound-producing device
Federal and Alabama regulations require fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, and a whistle or horn at minimum.
Question 3: When two power-driven vessels cross paths, which vessel must give way?
- The vessel that has the other on its starboard side (Correct answer)
- The vessel that has the other on its port side
- The faster vessel
- The smaller vessel
Correct answer: The vessel that has the other on its starboard side
In a crossing situation, the vessel that sees the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel.
Question 4: How far from a swimmer must Alabama boaters maintain a no-wake speed?
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 50 feet
- 200 feet
- 25 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
Alabama law requires vessels to slow to no-wake speed within 100 feet of a swimmer in open water.
Question 5: What does five or more short blasts of a horn signal?
- Danger or doubt about the other vessel's intentions (Correct answer)
- I am turning to port
- I am operating in reverse
- I request a bridge opening
Correct answer: Danger or doubt about the other vessel's intentions
Five or more short blasts is the danger/doubt signal, warning that a collision risk exists.
Question 6: Which type of PFD is designed for unconscious victims and can turn a person face-up in the water?
- Type I (Offshore Life Jacket) (Correct answer)
- Type II (Near-Shore Buoyant Vest)
- Type III (Flotation Aid)
- Type IV (Throwable Device)
Correct answer: Type I (Offshore Life Jacket)
Type I PFDs provide the most buoyancy and are designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in open water.
Question 7: Alabama's 'slow, no-wake' zone within a certain distance of a dock or marina requires boats to travel:
- At a speed that creates minimal or no wake (Correct answer)
- At exactly 5 mph
- At idle speed only with engine in neutral
- At half throttle
Correct answer: At a speed that creates minimal or no wake
A no-wake zone means operating at the slowest speed needed to maintain steerage while producing minimal wake.
Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 4
A green buoy with an odd number marks which side of the channel when you are heading upstream or returning from sea?