Alabama Boaters Boating Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'dead in the water' mean for a vessel?
- The vessel has sunk to the bottom
- The vessel is stopped and has no way on (Correct answer)
- The vessel's navigation lights are off
- The vessel is operating without a captain
Correct answer: The vessel is stopped and has no way on
'Dead in the water' means a vessel has stopped and is not moving through the water, typically due to engine failure.
Question 2: When towing a water skier, what must the boat operator have in addition to the driver?
- A licensed tow spotter
- An observer or a wide-angle rearview mirror (Correct answer)
- A two-way radio
- A Coast Guard-approved safety flag
Correct answer: An observer or a wide-angle rearview mirror
Alabama requires a boat towing a skier to have an observer watching the skier OR a wide-angle rearview mirror so the driver can monitor them.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct way to pass a stationary vessel with a dive flag displayed?
- Pass at maximum speed to minimize wake
- Stay within 100 feet and proceed slowly
- Stay at least 100 feet away and go slowly (Correct answer)
- Stop your engine and drift past
Correct answer: Stay at least 100 feet away and go slowly
When a red and white dive flag is flying, vessels must stay at least 100 feet away because divers may be in the water nearby.
Question 4: What is the safest action if you are caught in a sudden storm while boating?
- Head directly to the nearest shore at full speed
- Put on life jackets, lower anchor if possible, and head to shore safely (Correct answer)
- Anchor far from shore and wait out the storm
- Signal distress and abandon the vessel immediately
Correct answer: Put on life jackets, lower anchor if possible, and head to shore safely
Putting on life jackets, reducing speed, and calmly heading to shore while keeping low in the boat is the safest storm response.
Question 5: What is the 'swim platform' rule regarding vessel propellers?
- Always shut off the engine before anyone swims near the vessel (Correct answer)
- Keep the engine in neutral when passengers are in the water
- Use the propeller guard when near swimmers
- All swimmers must stay 10 feet from the platform
Correct answer: Always shut off the engine before anyone swims near the vessel
The engine must always be completely shut off before allowing anyone to enter or swim near the water around the vessel to prevent propeller injuries.
Question 6: In Alabama, which waterway users have the right of way over motorized boats?
- Jet skis and PWCs
- Sailboats under sail and human-powered craft (Correct answer)
- Commercial fishing vessels only
- All waterway users have equal right of way
Correct answer: Sailboats under sail and human-powered craft
Sailboats under sail power and human-powered craft like canoes or kayaks are generally give-way vessels' priority over motorized boats.
Question 7: What color is the port (left) side navigation light on a vessel?
- Green
- White
- Red (Correct answer)
- Yellow
Correct answer: Red
The port (left) side navigation light is red, while the starboard (right) light is green — use 'port wine is red' to remember.
Alabama Boaters Boating Safety 4
What does the term 'dead in the water' mean for a vessel?