OBS Online Boating Equipment & Maintenance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What class of fire extinguisher is required on a boat with a permanently installed fuel tank under 26 feet?
- One B-I type extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Two B-II type extinguishers
- One A-I type extinguisher
- No extinguisher is required on boats under 26 feet
Correct answer: One B-I type extinguisher
Motorboats under 26 feet with a permanently installed fuel tank are required by the USCG to carry at least one B-I fire extinguisher.
Question 2: What is the primary function of a marine VHF radio channel 16?
- Broadcasting weather forecasts
- International distress, safety, and calling channel (Correct answer)
- Ship-to-ship commercial traffic
- Coast Guard internal communications only
Correct answer: International distress, safety, and calling channel
Channel 16 is the international hailing and distress channel that all vessels must monitor, and it is used to initiate contact before switching to a working channel.
Question 3: When should you replace a flare in your visual distress signal kit?
- Every 6 months regardless of expiration date
- When the flare shows any visible rust on its exterior
- When the flare's expiration date has passed (Correct answer)
- Only after the flare has been used once
Correct answer: When the flare's expiration date has passed
Pyrotechnic flares are stamped with an expiration date and must be replaced when expired because their reliability degrades over time.
Question 4: What is the purpose of sacrificial anodes (zinc anodes) on a boat?
- To improve fuel combustion efficiency
- To protect metal parts from galvanic corrosion by corroding first (Correct answer)
- To ground the electrical system safely
- To lubricate underwater moving parts
Correct answer: To protect metal parts from galvanic corrosion by corroding first
Sacrificial anodes are made of less noble metals that corrode preferentially, protecting the boat's more valuable metal components from galvanic corrosion.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign that a marine battery needs replacement?
- Battery case is slightly warm after charging
- Battery voltage reads 12.6V when fully charged
- Battery fails to hold a charge or has cracked casing (Correct answer)
- Battery terminals have a small amount of discoloration
Correct answer: Battery fails to hold a charge or has cracked casing
A battery that cannot hold a charge after proper charging, or one with a cracked or bulging case, has failed and must be replaced for reliable engine starting.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure when fueling a boat with an inboard gasoline engine?
- Keep the engine running to monitor fuel consumption
- Close all hatches, ports, and doors during fueling (Correct answer)
- Run the bilge blower for 4 minutes before fueling begins
- Fill the tank as fast as possible to minimize vapor accumulation
Correct answer: Close all hatches, ports, and doors during fueling
During fueling, close all openings to prevent vapors from entering the boat's interior, then run the blower for at least four minutes before starting the engine.
Question 7: A through-hull fitting below the waterline should have what installed on it?
- A plastic cap to prevent debris entry
- A seacock or gate valve that can be closed quickly (Correct answer)
- A filter screen only
- A pressure gauge to monitor water intrusion
Correct answer: A seacock or gate valve that can be closed quickly
Every through-hull fitting below the waterline must have a seacock or gate valve so the opening can be closed immediately if the fitting fails and water begins entering.
OBS Online Boating Equipment & Maintenance 3
What class of fire extinguisher is required on a boat with a permanently installed fuel tank under 26 feet?