Question 1

The 'Rule of Responsibility'

Accepted Answer

This rule states that every boat operator is responsible for avoiding a collision.

Question 2

Navigation Lights

Accepted Answer

These are required to be turned on from sunset to sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility.

Question 3

Sound Producing Devices

Accepted Answer

These are required on all boats to signal intentions and position in periods of reduced visibility.

Question 4

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

Accepted Answer

These are life jackets that are required to be on board for each person on the boat.

Question 5

'Stand-On' Vessel

Accepted Answer

This is the boat that has the right of way in a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation.

Question 6

'Give-Way' Vessel

Accepted Answer

This is the boat that does not have the right of way and must take early and substantial action to avoid collision.

Question 7

Proper Anchoring

Accepted Answer

This involves choosing the correct location and using enough anchor line (rode) for the depth of the water.

Question 8

'No Wake' Zone

Accepted Answer

An area where a vessel is required to travel at slow, idle speed to prevent wake damage or erosion.

Question 9

Hypothermia

Accepted Answer

A condition of having an abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold water.

Question 10

BUI (Boating Under the Influence)

Accepted Answer

Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It's illegal and dangerous.

Question 11

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Accepted Answer

A potentially deadly risk associated with exhaust fumes from a boat’s engine or generator.

Question 12

Propeller Safety

Accepted Answer

Keeping clear of a boat's propeller to avoid serious injuries.

Question 13

Man Overboard Procedure

Accepted Answer

The steps to take if someone falls overboard, such as throwing a lifebuoy, turning the boat around, and calling for help.

Question 14

Nautical Charts

Accepted Answer

Maps used by boaters to navigate waterways safely.

Question 15

Safety Lanyard

Accepted Answer

A cord that connects the boat operator to an engine cut-off switch, designed to stop the engine if the operator is thrown from the position.

Question 16

Channel Markers and Buoys

Accepted Answer

These guide boaters through safe passages and indicate dangerous or regulated areas.

Question 17

Aids to Navigation (ATONs)

Accepted Answer

Systems, structures, or devices external to a vessel specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course.

Question 18

Float Plan

Accepted Answer

A document that outlines your planned journey on the water to help search and rescue teams in case of emergency.

Question 19

Flares and Distress Signals

Accepted Answer

These are used to signal for help in case of emergency on the water.

Question 20

Marine VHF Radio

Accepted Answer

A radio system for communication and emergency distress calls.

Question 21

'Port'

Accepted Answer

The left-hand side of the boat when facing forward.

Question 22

'Starboard'

Accepted Answer

The right-hand side of the boat when facing forward.

Question 23

'Bow'

Accepted Answer

The front end of a boat.

Question 24

'Stern'

Accepted Answer

The rear end of a boat.

Question 25

'Beam'

Accepted Answer

The width of the boat at its widest point.

Question 26

'Draft'

Accepted Answer

The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel).

Question 27

'Freeboard'

Accepted Answer

The distance from the waterline to the lowest point of the boat where water could come on board.

Question 28

'Trim'

Accepted Answer

The balance of a boat in relation to its bow and stern.

Question 29

'Leeway'

Accepted Answer

The sideways movement of the boat caused by wind or currents.

Question 30

'Heeling'

Accepted Answer

The leaning over of a boat caused by wind pressure on the sails, the force of a wave, or turning speed.

Question 31

'Tacking'

Accepted Answer

A basic sailing maneuver of changing the direction of a sailboat by turning its bow into the wind

Question 32

'Jibing'

Accepted Answer

A sailing maneuver where the stern of the boat is passed through the wind.

Question 33

'Running Aground'

Accepted Answer

When a boat unintentionally strikes the seabed or shore.

Question 34

'Seaworthy'

Accepted Answer

A boat that is suitable for navigating in the conditions of the sea.

Question 35

'Mayday'

Accepted Answer

The international distress signal used on the marine radio for life-threatening emergencies.

Question 36

'Pan Pan'

Accepted Answer

The international radio distress signal for urgent situations not immediately life-threatening.

Question 37

'Securite'

Accepted Answer

The international radio signal for important safety information.

Question 38

'Squall'

Accepted Answer

A sudden, sharp increase in wind speed that is usually associated with active weather.

Question 39

'Whitecaps'

Accepted Answer

Small, breaking waves on the surface of the water, a sign of windy conditions.

Question 40

'Rip Current'

Accepted Answer

A powerful, fast-moving channel of water that can pull even strong swimmers away from shore.

Question 41

'Wake'

Accepted Answer

The waves that a boat produces as it moves through the water.

Question 42

'Ebb Tide'

Accepted Answer

The period when the tide is flowing out and the water level is falling.

Question 43

'Flood Tide'

Accepted Answer

The period when the tide is coming in and the water level is rising.

Question 44

'Slack Tide'

Accepted Answer

The brief period in a body of tidal water when the water is completely unstressed, and there is no movement either way in the tidal stream.

Question 45

'Spring Tide'

Accepted Answer

A tide just after a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water.

Question 46

'Neap Tide'

Accepted Answer

A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when there is the least difference between high and low water.

Question 47

'Knot'

Accepted Answer

A unit of speed in aviation and marine contexts, equal to one nautical mile per hour.

Question 48

'Nautical Mile'

Accepted Answer

A unit of distance used in aviation and marine contexts, it's equal to 1.15 statute miles or 1.852 kilometers.

Question 49

'Chartplotter'

Accepted Answer

A device used on a boat that integrates GPS data with an electronic navigational chart (ENC).

Question 50

'Radar'

Accepted Answer

A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of sent radio waves reflected from their surfaces.

Question 51

'Sonar'

Accepted Answer

A system for the detection of objects and navigation under water by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected.

Question 52

'EPIRB' (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

Accepted Answer

A device that sends out a signal that can be detected by satellites when activated in an emergency, allowing rescuers to locate you.

Question 53

'AIS' (Automatic Identification System)

Accepted Answer

A tracking system used on ships for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby vessels and AIS Base stations.

Question 54

'Fire Extinguisher Classes'

Accepted Answer

Class A: combustible solids. Class B: flammable liquids. Class C: electrical equipment. Class D: flammable metals. Class K: cooking oils and fats.

Question 55

'Hull Identification Number (HIN)'

Accepted Answer

A 12-character serial number that uniquely identifies a boat, similar to the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a car.

Montana Boating License Advanced Study Set