OBS Defensive Driving Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A defensive boater approaching a marina entrance should:
- Accelerate to secure a slip before others
- Reduce speed, watch for swimmers and divers, and follow posted signs (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn continuously to alert other boaters
- Maintain normal cruising speed to avoid backing up traffic
Correct answer: Reduce speed, watch for swimmers and divers, and follow posted signs
Marina areas have swimmers, divers, and slow-moving vessels, so slow speed and heightened awareness are essential.
Question 2: When two power-driven vessels are on crossing courses and risk collision, which vessel must give way?
- The vessel with the wind on its port side
- The vessel that has the other on its own starboard side (Correct answer)
- The slower vessel must give way
- The vessel that sees the other first must give way
Correct answer: The vessel that has the other on its own starboard side
Under COLREGS Rule 15, when two power vessels cross, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel.
Question 3: What should a boater do if their engine fails in a shipping channel?
- Swim to shore and call for help
- Attempt to anchor, display distress signals, and contact the Coast Guard (Correct answer)
- Wait silently until help arrives
- Deploy all fenders and wait
Correct answer: Attempt to anchor, display distress signals, and contact the Coast Guard
Anchoring (if possible), displaying distress signals, and contacting the Coast Guard ensures others are aware of your emergency situation.
Question 4: The 'two-minute rule' in defensive boating refers to:
- Waiting two minutes before starting the engine
- Ventilating the engine compartment for two minutes before starting
- Checking radar every two minutes in fog
- Running bilge blowers for two minutes before igniting gasoline engines (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Running bilge blowers for two minutes before igniting gasoline engines
Running the blower for at least four minutes (commonly called the two-minute rule) clears fuel vapors before starting a gasoline inboard engine.
Question 5: When operating near a large commercial vessel, why should you stay well clear even if you have right of way?
- Large vessels have priority under all navigation rules
- Large vessels cannot maneuver quickly and may not see small boats (Correct answer)
- Commercial vessels always travel at higher speed
- Large vessels have radar that automatically avoids small boats
Correct answer: Large vessels cannot maneuver quickly and may not see small boats
Large ships have limited maneuverability and restricted visibility, making it dangerous for small boats to insist on their right of way.
Question 6: Which signal indicates a vessel is backing up (moving astern)?
- One short blast
- Two short blasts
- Three short blasts (Correct answer)
- One prolonged blast
Correct answer: Three short blasts
Three short blasts on the horn indicate a vessel is operating its engines in reverse.
Question 7: A defensive boater always checks wake effects because wakes can:
- Only affect jet skis and personal watercraft
- Capsize small boats, damage docks, and endanger swimmers (Correct answer)
- Help sailboats travel faster
- Only matter in no-wake zones
Correct answer: Capsize small boats, damage docks, and endanger swimmers
Wakes from your vessel can cause serious harm to small boats, people in the water, and waterfront property even outside posted no-wake zones.
OBS Defensive Driving Techniques 3
A defensive boater approaching a marina entrance should: