What’s your boating IQ?

From safety equipment, to local rules and international collision regulations, test your knowledge to see how you would fare sitting the boat licence multiple-choice test.

• When travelling UPSTREAM (from sea) on which side of the vessel must you keep  the green (starboard hand) marker?
  A. On the right hand side of your vessel.
  B. In the centre of the channel.
  C. On the left hand side of your vessel.
• When going DOWNSTREAM (towards the sea), on which side of your vessel must you keep the red (port hand) marker?
  A. On the left hand side.
  B. On the right hand side.
  C. On either side (it doesn’t matter).
  D. You may pass on any side.
• You are on a collision course with a vessel approaching you from starboard what do you do?
  A. Give way.
  B. Keep your current course and speed.
  C. Increase speed to pass ahead of the other vessel.
  D. Alter course to port and maintain your speed.
• When two power driven vessels are meeting head on, what course of action must be taken?
  A. Each vessel must alter course to starboard and pass at a safe distance.
  B. Maintain a safe distance and pass on either side.
  C. Each vessel must alter course to port and pass at a safe distance.
  D. The vessel travelling fastest must stop.
• When is it COMPULSORY to carry an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)?
  A. When crossing a coastal bar.
  B. When operating a vessel less than five metres in length on enclosed waters.
  C. At all times.
  D. When operating a vessel, two or more nautical miles off the coast.
• An approaching vessel sounds 5 short blasts on its horn. It is indicating that it is:
  A. Altering its course to port (to its left).
  B. Altering its course to starboard (to its right).
  C. Operating its engines astern.
  D. Unsure of your intentions or doubts whether you are taking enough action to avoid a collision.
• When must an approved marine two way radio (VHF) be carried?
  A. On all vessels on all waters.
  B. On all vessels proceeding more than 2 nautical miles from the coastline.
  C. On all vessels over 5 metres in length.
  D. On all vessels in isolated areas.
• When crossing a coastal sand bar it is compulsory to:
  A. Ensure that everyone on board is wearing an approved Lifejacket Type 3.
  B. Notify a coastal radio station of your intention.
  C. Ensure that everyone on board is wearing a Lifejacket Type 1.
  D. Proceed only if the bar is flat.
• What do cardinal marks indicate?
  A. Special features such as underwater pipes.
  B. Deeper water in a direction away from a danger such as a reef.
  C. Specific dangers such as wrecks.
  D. Large shipping channels.

ANSWERS
1A, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5D, 6D, 7B, 8C, 9B

Brush up on your boating knowledge, gain practical boat handling skills and learn the “how and why” of boating not just the rules.