Section A - NSW Boat Licence Practice Test

Put your study knowledge to the test by attempting Section A of the NSW Boat Licence Practice Test.

Some important notes:

This practice exam is only for Section A.
- You must correctly answer at least 24/30.
There are 30 questions total in this section which are taken from a larger pool of questions.
For the practice exam for Section B, click here.
These are the same questions you'll face at the course however the order has been randomised.
If you fail, return to the study page and do some more study then have another crack.

Good Luck!

Who's attempting this exam?

Name

What is the maximum number of people that you can tow at once?

3.

5.

As many as can fit on the tow apparatus.

To signal for assistance in an emergency, when is the best time to use your distress flares?

Between sunset and sunrise.

When you believe there's a chance they will be seen.

As soon as you realise you need assistance.

Can waves be higher than the 'significant wave height' in a weather forecast?

No, all waves will be within the significant wave height.

Yes, some waves may be up to twice the significant wave height.

No, all waves will be exactly the significant wave height.

What should you do when approaching a large vessel with restricted manoeuvrability in a channel?

Signal to the larger vessel that you are holding your course.

Keep well clear and, if necessary, pass behind at a safe distance.

Hold your course and let the larger vessel take any necessary avoiding action.

If keeping a proper lookout is difficult, you should:

Slow down and assess the conditions.

Speed up to get home quicker.

Carry on anyway.

You are towing someone behind your vessel using watersport equipment and rope or line. Who is responsible to ensure the towed person and items do not cause an obstruction or danger?

You.

Other drivers.

The person being towed.

What added safety device is recommended to reduce the risk of toxic gases on boats with engines?

A dehumidifier.

An air purifier.

A carbon monoxide detector alarm.

How should you care for your lifejackets?

Regularly air them in sunlight.

Leave them in a bucket of cold fresh water in between uses.

Clean off salt, check for damage and store them dry, out of sunlight.

When anchoring, where should you attach the anchor line to your boat?

The bow.

Any part of your boat.

The stern.

When towing, does the observer need a General Boat or PWC driving licence?

Yes, if aged under 16.

Yes, but only on open waters.

No, no-one needs a licence to be the observer.

Why are inflatable lifejackets not recommended for children aged under 12 years?

Inflatable lifejackets are very expensive.

Inflatable lifejackets are not available in colours which children like.

Children may forget how to activate a manual inflatable lifejacket in an emergency, or accidentally set off an auto-inflating jacket when playing around the water.

Why must inflatable lifejackets be serviced regularly?

They are difficult to fit into storage if you don’t get them serviced.

The plastic wrapping will wear off if you don’t get them serviced.

If they are not in working order, they may not inflate you when you need them.

What is the best definition of 'open waters'?

Shipping channels.

Any navigable waterway.

Navigable waters that are not enclosed by a land or port.

When can you use a distress signal such as a flare, V sheet or EPIRB?

When you need to contact someone urgently.

Only when in distress.

At any time.

When must you carry a waterproof torch on a powered vessel (other than a personal watercraft)?

Only between sunset and sunrise.

Only when going more than 2 nautical miles from shore on open waters.

At all times.

If you see a dredge operating, what should you do?

Pass as close to the dredge as possible.

Keep well clear and minimise your vessel's wash.

Nothing, dredges are a low risk.

What rules apply in the Sydney Harbour Bridge transit zone?

Vessels must travel faster than 15 knots through the transit zone.

Vessels must not travel under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Vessels must not stop or drift under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

What is the general rule when anchoring in calm waters?

Let out around 2 boat lengths of anchor line.

Let out around 3 boat lengths of anchor line.

Let out 1 boat length of anchor line only.

What is the biggest danger to be aware of when operating near rocks or reefs?

You could run over a fishing line.

Waves can break unexpectedly and capsize your vessel.

Seaweed could clog your engine.

When must a fire extinguisher be carried on board your vessel?

Only when it is a commercial vessel.

Only when you are heading into open water.

Only when the vessel has an engine, gas installation, fuel stove or battery.

What does the 'Alpha' dive flag look like?

Blue flag with centred white square.

Blue and white flag with swallow tail.

Yellow and white flag.

What should you do if you see a speed sign while driving your vessel?

Don't drive faster than the speed shown on the sign.

Drive as fast as you like, because the sign only applies to commercial vessels.

Drive as fast as you like, as long as there are no other vessels within 30 metres.

What is the meaning of a blue and white 'Alpha' flag on a vessel, buoy or float?

Pass on the south side of this area.

This is a mooring area.

Divers are in this area.

What is an example of a tidal impact to consider when you are planning to go on the water?

Tide may impact your ability to launch or return to safe harbour.

No example, tides have no impact on boating.

Tide may indicate thunderstorms approaching.

If you see a whale and its calf in the water ahead of your vessel you should:

Slow down or stop and maintain a distance of at least 300 metres.

Hold your course and wait for the whales to avoid you.

Quickly turn off your motor.

Can you tow someone through the water while they hold on to your vessel's swim platform?

Yes, but only in calm water.

No, not at any time.

Yes, but only when the vessel is over 4.8 metres.

Who must pay attention to the messages on aquamark minibuoys?

You don't need to pay attention to them unless you are in a sailing vessel.

You don't need to pay attention to them unless you are in a canoe or kayak.

Everyone driving any type of vessel.

If you require assistance at sea but there is no immediate danger to the vessel or the people onboard, which emergency words will you use on marine radio?

Pan pan.

Mayday.

Securite.

When must you carry an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) on your vessel?

Only between sunset and sunrise.

When you go on enclosed waters.

When you go 2 or more nautical miles from shore on open waters.

You are travelling towards a bridge, and read a sign giving the maximum vessel height (clearance height). When might the clearance height be less than it says on the sign?

At night.

At low tide.

During floods.

What should you do to ensure your vessel’s wash does not unreasonably impact on other vessels or the shore?

Travel as close to the shore as possible.

Travel as close to other vessels as possible

Frequently look behind to observe the effects of your wash and adjust your speed if necessary.

When driving through a mooring area you need to:

Drive slowly and keep a lookout for dinghies and trailing ropes.

Speed up to pass through the area quickly.

Pass as closely as possible to the moored vessels.

Is it important to know about tides?

Yes, they can impact your ability to navigate safely.

Yes, but only if you are boating on a river.

No, skilled drivers can drive in any depth of water.

What is the minimum safe distance to keep your vessel from a dive flag on the water?

10 m.

30 m.

60 m.

What should you consider about your vessel before travelling to open waters?

How your vessel performs when towing.

Whether your vessel is suitable for large waves.

Whether your vessel is stable in enclosed waters.

When do you need a General Boat driving licence?

Only when driving a powered vessel on NSW waters at speeds over 10 knots.

Only when driving a powered vessel on NSW waters at speeds over 20 knots.

Only when driving a commercial vessel.

What do you need to do before anchoring?

Ensure you are very close to other vessels.

Ensure you will be in the middle of a shipping channel.

Ensure you have enough space from other vessels and obstacles.

Flares, V sheet, map/chart and compass are some of the items you must carry on your vessel when:

On open waters at all times.

On enclosed waters at all times.

On all waters between sunset and sunrise.

Why should you tell passengers on your vessel not to move about suddenly and without warning?

They could cause the engine to stop.

They could cause the vessel to capsize.

They could cause the vessel to speed up.

What does an orange diamond shape signify when displayed on a ferry?

The ferry is making a detour from its standard route.

The ferry is on its final run for the day.

The ferry has 'priority over sail'. Sailing vessels must keep clear.

To reduce your impact on the marine environment, where should you avoid anchoring your vessel?

Shallow areas which contain seagrasses.

Mooring areas.

Open waters.

Children aged under 12 years must wear a lifejacket:

On all vessels up to 4.8 metres long.

On all canoes, kayaks and rowing boats, but no requirement on other vessels.

On all sailing boats, but no requirement on other vessels.

What do you need to remember when anchoring in bad weather?

Let out more anchor line than usual.

Attach the anchor line to your vessel's stern, not the bow.

Let out less anchor line than usual.

An efficient sound signalling device must be carried:

On all powered vessels except PWC.

Only on powered vessels over 8 metres in length.

Only on vessels operating between sunset and sunrise.

Where might you see a red and white striped safe water mark?

Marking the boundary of an exclusion zone during special events.

In a large shipping channel to indicate the centreline or turning point.

In environmentally sensitive areas that contain seagrasses.

What is the minimum distance you should anchor your vessel from an underwater (submarine) cable?

200 metres.

50 metres.

100 metres.

When using navigational lead marks, you should:

Line the leads up one behind the other, and travel in line with them.

Ignore them as they are only used by large commercial vessels.

Pass to the right when going upstream.

When towing, where must you face if you are the observer?

It doesn’t matter as long as you can check on the towed person from time to time.

Backwards to watch the person being towed.

Forward to ensure you have a clear view of the conditions ahead.

Are you allowed to attach your vessel to a navigation aid or bridge?

Yes, if it is high tide.

Yes, if it is a cardinal mark.

No.

What does this sign mean?

Recommended speed is 4 knots in the directions indicated.

Maximum speed is 4 knots at low tide only.

Maximum speed is 4 knots in the directions indicated.

Your score is

The average score is 92%

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NSW Boat Licence Practice Test Section A