Alabama Boaters Safety Equipment & Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct procedure when a passenger falls overboard?
- Stop the engine immediately and jump in to help
- Throw a flotation device, keep the person in sight, and circle back (Correct answer)
- Radio for help before taking any other action
- Increase speed to get help faster
Correct answer: Throw a flotation device, keep the person in sight, and circle back
Throw a Type IV flotation device to the person, designate someone to keep eyes on them, and carefully maneuver the boat back to them.
Question 2: Which visual distress signal is approved for daytime use only?
- Red handheld flare
- Orange smoke signal (Correct answer)
- Red aerial flare
- Electric distress light
Correct answer: Orange smoke signal
Orange smoke signals are approved for daytime use only, as the smoke is visible in daylight but ineffective at night.
Question 3: A vessel 26 feet in length is required to have at minimum how many Type B fire extinguishers?
- None
- One B-I
- Two B-I or one B-II (Correct answer)
- Three B-I
Correct answer: Two B-I or one B-II
Vessels 26 to 40 feet require at least two B-I extinguishers or one B-II extinguisher by federal regulations.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a vessel's bilge pump?
- To circulate cooling water through the engine
- To remove accumulated water from the lowest part of the hull (Correct answer)
- To pressurize the freshwater system
- To drain the livewell
Correct answer: To remove accumulated water from the lowest part of the hull
A bilge pump removes water that collects in the bilge (the lowest interior part of the hull) to keep the vessel from taking on excess water.
Question 5: When anchoring in an emergency to prevent going aground, where should the anchor be deployed from?
- The stern
- Either side amidships
- The bow (Correct answer)
- It does not matter where
Correct answer: The bow
Anchors should always be deployed from the bow; anchoring from the stern can cause the vessel to swamp or capsize.
Question 6: What information should be included when making a mayday call on VHF Channel 16?
- Name of boat, location, nature of distress, number of persons aboard (Correct answer)
- Captain's name, boat registration number, home port
- Speed, heading, fuel level, weather conditions
- Type of boat, color, length, and engine size
Correct answer: Name of boat, location, nature of distress, number of persons aboard
A mayday call must include the vessel name, position/location, nature of distress, number of persons aboard, and any other relevant information.
Question 7: Which of the following conditions would render a PFD unserviceable and unsafe to use?
- Faded color from sun exposure
- Waterlogged or mildewed foam that does not spring back (Correct answer)
- A slightly loose tie string
- Minor surface scuffing
Correct answer: Waterlogged or mildewed foam that does not spring back
PFDs with waterlogged, compressed, or mildewed foam that does not spring back after squeezing have lost their buoyancy and are unsafe.
Alabama Boaters Safety Equipment & Emergency Procedures 3
What is the correct procedure when a passenger falls overboard?