Boating License Test Boating License Test Emergency Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first action you should take if your boat begins taking on water?
- Immediately call for help
- Identify and plug the source of flooding if possible (Correct answer)
- Abandon ship
- Increase engine speed to stay ahead of flooding
Correct answer: Identify and plug the source of flooding if possible
You should first attempt to locate and plug the source of flooding to keep the vessel afloat while also signaling for help.
Question 2: Which distress signal is recognized as a universal SOS at sea?
- One long horn blast
- Three short blasts followed by three long blasts followed by three short blasts (Correct answer)
- Two horn blasts repeated every minute
- Waving a white flag continuously
Correct answer: Three short blasts followed by three long blasts followed by three short blasts
The SOS signal (three short, three long, three short) is the internationally recognized distress call.
Question 3: If a passenger falls overboard, what should you do FIRST?
- Radio the Coast Guard immediately
- Throw a flotation device to the person (Correct answer)
- Turn the boat around at full speed
- Stop the engine and wait
Correct answer: Throw a flotation device to the person
Immediately throwing a PFD or life ring to the person in the water gives them buoyancy while you maneuver the boat.
Question 4: What does the distress signal 'MAYDAY' indicate?
- A vessel needs a tow
- A vessel is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance (Correct answer)
- A vessel has a minor mechanical issue
- A vessel is lost and needs directions
Correct answer: A vessel is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance
MAYDAY is an international radio distress call indicating a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assistance.
Question 5: When should you use a visual distress signal (VDS) such as a flare?
- To celebrate arriving at your destination
- Only during daylight hours
- When in distress and needing immediate rescue (Correct answer)
- To warn other boaters of shallow water
Correct answer: When in distress and needing immediate rescue
Visual distress signals like flares are used only in genuine emergency situations to attract rescuers.
Question 6: What is the proper VHF radio channel to use for distress calls in the US?
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 9
- Channel 68
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 is the international distress, safety, and calling channel monitored by the US Coast Guard.
Boating License Test Boating License Test Emergency Procedures 1
What is the first action you should take if your boat begins taking on water?