Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Alabama law, when must a written accident report be filed if a person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid?
- Within 10 days (Correct answer)
- Within 48 hours
- Within 5 days
- Within 30 days
Correct answer: Within 10 days
Alabama requires a written accident report within 10 days when injuries require medical treatment beyond first aid.
Question 2: What lighting configuration is required for a power-driven vessel underway that is less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long?
- An all-round white light and sidelights, or a combined lantern (Correct answer)
- Two masthead lights and sidelights
- A red masthead light and green sidelights
- Only an all-round white light
Correct answer: An all-round white light and sidelights, or a combined lantern
Vessels under 12 meters may use a single all-round white light with sidelights or a combined tri-color lantern.
Question 3: Which of the following is TRUE about waterskiing regulations in Alabama?
- A separate observer in addition to the operator is required (Correct answer)
- The operator alone can watch the skier
- Waterskiing is only allowed during daylight with no observer required
- Skiing is prohibited within 300 feet of any shore
Correct answer: A separate observer in addition to the operator is required
Alabama law requires a dedicated observer aboard the towing vessel so the operator can focus on navigation.
Question 4: A vessel displaying a red light over a white light on a mast is signaling that it is:
- A vessel engaged in fishing (Correct answer)
- A sailing vessel underway
- A vessel not under command
- A vessel at anchor
Correct answer: A vessel engaged in fishing
Red over white lights on a vessel indicate it is engaged in fishing with gear that restricts its maneuverability.
Question 5: In Alabama, which vessels are required to be titled and registered?
- All motorized vessels and sailboats over 12 feet (Correct answer)
- Only vessels over 16 feet long
- Only vessels with engines over 10 HP
- All vessels regardless of size or propulsion
Correct answer: All motorized vessels and sailboats over 12 feet
Alabama requires registration and titling for all motorized vessels and sailboats exceeding 12 feet in length.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'diver down' flag displayed on a vessel or buoy in Alabama waters?
- Warns other boaters that divers are below the surface nearby (Correct answer)
- Marks a swim zone boundary
- Indicates a vessel is anchored for fishing
- Signals a distress situation
Correct answer: Warns other boaters that divers are below the surface nearby
A diver down flag requires nearby boaters to slow down and stay at least 100 feet away because divers are in the water.
Question 7: Under the Navigation Rules, which vessel is NEVER required to give way to other vessels?
- A vessel not under command
- A vessel constrained by draft
- A vessel engaged in fishing
- All vessels must sometimes give way (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All vessels must sometimes give way
All vessels have give-way obligations in certain situations; even privileged vessels must act to avoid collision if the give-way vessel fails to do so.
Alabama Boaters Boating Laws & Navigational Rules 5
Under Alabama law, when must a written accident report be filed if a person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid?