PCOC Passenger Safety and Service 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passenger on your pleasure craft is showing signs of hypothermia after falling into cold water. What is the FIRST action you should take?
- Remove wet clothing and wrap the person in dry blankets (Correct answer)
- Give the person a hot drink immediately
- Have the person do jumping jacks to warm up
- Apply direct heat with a heating pad to the chest
Correct answer: Remove wet clothing and wrap the person in dry blankets
Removing wet clothing and insulating the victim from further heat loss is the first priority in hypothermia treatment.
Question 2: What is the maximum number of passengers a pleasure craft may legally carry?
- As many as can fit comfortably on deck
- The number specified on the vessel's capacity plate or documentation (Correct answer)
- 10 passengers regardless of boat size
- As many as there are life jackets on board
Correct answer: The number specified on the vessel's capacity plate or documentation
The vessel's capacity plate or documentation specifies the maximum safe number of passengers and must be followed.
Question 3: When should passengers be briefed on safety procedures?
- Only if the trip is longer than 2 hours
- Before departure on every trip (Correct answer)
- After clearing the marina and reaching open water
- Only when the weather forecast is poor
Correct answer: Before departure on every trip
All passengers must be briefed on safety procedures before departure on every trip, regardless of trip length or conditions.
Question 4: A child passenger under 16 years old is on your boat in Canadian waters. What PFD requirement applies?
- A PFD is recommended but not required for strong swimmers
- The child must wear an approved PFD at all times while on deck (Correct answer)
- A PFD must be available on board but does not need to be worn
- The child only needs a PFD when the boat is moving
Correct answer: The child must wear an approved PFD at all times while on deck
Under Canadian law, children under 16 must wear an approved PFD or lifejacket at all times while on deck or in open areas.
Question 5: What does the term 'freeboard' refer to, and why is it important for passenger safety?
- The distance from the waterline to the deck edge, affecting how easily waves can swamp the vessel (Correct answer)
- The free space on deck for passengers to stand
- The weight capacity remaining after fuel is loaded
- The clearance between the bow and any obstacles ahead
Correct answer: The distance from the waterline to the deck edge, affecting how easily waves can swamp the vessel
Freeboard is the distance from the waterline to the deck edge; low freeboard increases the risk of swamping and must factor into how many passengers can safely board.
Question 6: A passenger accidentally falls overboard. After circling back to the person, what is the safest way to bring them back aboard?
- Have them grab the propeller guard and pull themselves up
- Approach from downwind so the boat drifts toward the person
- Shut off the engine and use a boarding ladder or transom platform while keeping the person away from the propeller (Correct answer)
- Toss a line and tow them to shore rather than hauling them aboard
Correct answer: Shut off the engine and use a boarding ladder or transom platform while keeping the person away from the propeller
Always shut off the engine before bringing a person close to the stern to eliminate the propeller strike hazard, then use a ladder or platform.
Question 7: Which communication method should a vessel operator use to broadcast a distress call?
- Channel 16 on a VHF marine radio (Correct answer)
- Channel 9 on a VHF marine radio
- Any AM radio frequency
- Cell phone to the nearest marina
Correct answer: Channel 16 on a VHF marine radio
Channel 16 is the international distress, safety, and calling channel monitored by the Coast Guard and other vessels.
PCOC Passenger Safety and Service 2
A passenger on your pleasure craft is showing signs of hypothermia after falling into cold water.
What is the FIRST action you should take?