Alabama Boaters Equipment Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a backfire flame arrestor on a boat's engine?
- To increase engine horsepower
- To prevent engine backfires from igniting fuel vapors in the bilge (Correct answer)
- To reduce engine noise while underway
- To filter water out of the fuel system
Correct answer: To prevent engine backfires from igniting fuel vapors in the bilge
A backfire flame arrestor is required on gasoline engines to prevent a backfire flame from igniting fuel vapors that may accumulate in the bilge.
Question 2: Alabama law requires powered ventilation systems on boats built after August 1, 1980 with enclosed engine compartments. How long must the blower run before starting the engine?
- 30 seconds
- 2 minutes
- 4 minutes (Correct answer)
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 4 minutes
The blower must run for at least four minutes before starting the engine to purge flammable fuel vapors from the enclosed engine compartment.
Question 3: What does 'Type III' indicate on a Coast Guard-approved PFD?
- A throwable ring buoy device
- A flotation aid suitable for conscious wearers in calm water (Correct answer)
- A heavy-duty offshore life jacket
- A near-shore buoyant vest for rough water
Correct answer: A flotation aid suitable for conscious wearers in calm water
A Type III PFD is a flotation aid designed for conscious wearers in calm, inland water where rescue is likely to occur quickly.
Question 4: Which PFD type is designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water?
- Type I (Correct answer)
- Type II
- Type III
- Type IV
Correct answer: Type I
Type I offshore life jackets provide the most buoyancy and are designed to turn most unconscious wearers face-up in rough, open water.
Question 5: What is required of a throwable Type IV PFD carried on a recreational boat?
- It must be stored in a waterproof bag below deck
- It must be immediately accessible and not stowed in a closed compartment (Correct answer)
- It must be tethered to the boat at all times
- It must be replaced every boating season
Correct answer: It must be immediately accessible and not stowed in a closed compartment
A Type IV throwable device must be immediately accessible so it can be thrown to a person in the water without delay.
Question 6: How many wearable PFDs are required to be on board a boat carrying five people?
- Three
- Four
- Five (Correct answer)
- Six
Correct answer: Five
There must be at least one properly sized, Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD for every person on board, so five people require five PFDs.
Question 7: Under Alabama law, what is required of children under 8 years old on a moving motorboat?
- They must be seated in an enclosed cabin
- They must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD (Correct answer)
- They must be supervised by a certified adult lifeguard
- They must wear a PFD only if the boat exceeds 15 mph
Correct answer: They must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD
Alabama law requires children under age 8 to wear a properly fitting Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times while the vessel is underway.
Alabama Boaters Equipment Requirements 3
What is the purpose of a backfire flame arrestor on a boat's engine?