Question 1

Aids to Navigation

Accepted Answer

Markers and buoys used to guide boaters and indicate safe waterways.

Question 2

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

Accepted Answer

A life jacket or vest designed to keep a person afloat in the water.

Question 3

PWC

Accepted Answer

Personal Watercraft, such as a Jet Ski or WaveRunner.

Question 4

Vessel Registration

Accepted Answer

The process of officially documenting a boat with the state.

Question 5

Vessel Safety Check

Accepted Answer

A voluntary examination of a boat's equipment and safety measures by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons.

Question 6

Intoxicated Operation

Accepted Answer

Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Question 7

No-Wake Zone

Accepted Answer

An area where boats must maintain a slow speed to avoid creating a wake.

Question 8

Bow

Accepted Answer

The front or forward part of a boat.

Question 9

Stern

Accepted Answer

The back or rear part of a boat.

Question 10

Navigation Rules

Accepted Answer

Regulations that govern the movement and behavior of vessels on the water.

Question 11

Anchoring

Accepted Answer

Securing a boat in place by dropping an anchor.

Question 12

Hypothermia

Accepted Answer

A dangerous condition caused by exposure to cold water or weather, resulting in a drop in body temperature.

Question 13

Distress Signal

Accepted Answer

A signal used to indicate that a vessel is in distress and requires immediate assistance.

Question 14

Fire Extinguisher

Accepted Answer

A device used to control or extinguish fires on a boat.

Question 15

Certificate of Number

Accepted Answer

The official document indicating a boat's registration number and expiration date.

Question 16

Right of Way

Accepted Answer

The privilege of one vessel to proceed ahead of another based on established rules.

Question 17

Nautical Chart

Accepted Answer

A detailed map used by boaters to navigate and identify underwater features, hazards, and channels.

Question 18

Vessel Capacity Plate

Accepted Answer

A plate on a boat that specifies the maximum weight and number of passengers it can safely carry.

Question 19

Flare

Accepted Answer

A pyrotechnic device used as a distress signal on the water.

Question 20

EPIRB

Accepted Answer

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, a device used to alert search and rescue authorities in case of an emergency.

Question 21

Bowline Knot

Accepted Answer

A knot used to create a fixed loop at the end of a line.

Question 22

Mooring

Accepted Answer

Securing a boat to a fixed object, such as a dock or buoy.

Question 23

Wake

Accepted Answer

The waves and turbulence created by a moving boat.

Question 24

Navigation Lights

Accepted Answer

Lights used to indicate a vessel's position, direction, and status during nighttime or low visibility conditions.

Question 25

Paddlecraft

Accepted Answer

Non-motorized vessels, such as canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Question 26

Tiller

Accepted Answer

A lever or handle used to steer a boat by turning the rudder.

Question 27

Bail

Accepted Answer

To remove water from a boat using buckets or pumps.

Question 28

Channel Marker

Accepted Answer

A navigational aid that indicates the safe passage in a channel.

Question 29

Ventilation

Accepted Answer

The process of allowing fresh air to circulate in enclosed areas of a boat to prevent the buildup of fuel vapors.

Question 30

Transom

Accepted Answer

The vertical surface at the back of a boat where the motor is typically mounted.

Question 31

Hypalon

Accepted Answer

A synthetic rubber material commonly used in the construction of inflatable boats.

Question 32

Bow Riding

Accepted Answer

Allowing passengers to sit on the front of a moving boat, which can be dangerous and is often prohibited.

Question 33

VHF Radio

Accepted Answer

Very High-Frequency radio used for communication and distress calls on the water.

Question 34

Sailing Vessel

Accepted Answer

A boat propelled primarily by wind power using sails.

Question 35

Wakeboarding

Accepted Answer

A water sport where a rider is towed behind a boat on a board while performing tricks and maneuvers.

Question 36

PWC Lanyard

Accepted Answer

A safety device that attaches to the operator's wrist or life jacket and shuts off the engine if the operator falls off the personal watercraft.

Question 37

Sound Signal

Accepted Answer

Audible signals used to communicate intentions or warnings on the water, such as a horn or whistle.

Question 38

Trim

Accepted Answer

Adjusting the angle of the boat's outdrive or outboard motor to optimize performance and control.

Question 39

Gross Tonnage

Accepted Answer

A measure of a vessel's overall size, including both its weight and carrying capacity.

Question 40

Mast

Accepted Answer

The vertical spar or pole that supports the sails on a sailboat.

Question 41

Swamping

Accepted Answer

When a boat fills with water, usually due to rough water conditions or improper weight distribution.

Question 42

Marine Sanitation Device (MSD)

Accepted Answer

A system on a boat that treats or contains sewage to prevent pollution of the water.

Question 43

Bridge Clearance

Accepted Answer

The vertical distance between the water surface and the lowest point of a bridge, indicating whether a boat can pass safely underneath.

Question 44

Mariculture

Accepted Answer

The cultivation of marine organisms, such as fish or shellfish, in controlled environments.

Question 45

Shoal

Accepted Answer

A shallow area of water, typically marked by a change in color or depth.

Question 46

Displacement Hull

Accepted Answer

A hull design that pushes through the water, displacing it as the boat moves forward.

Question 47

Hydrofoil

Accepted Answer

A wing-like structure underneath a boat that lifts it out of the water, reducing drag and increasing speed.

Question 48

Cardinal Buoy

Accepted Answer

A navigational buoy that indicates safe water by its color and shape relative to the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).

Question 49

No-Discharge Zone

Accepted Answer

A designated area where it is illegal to discharge untreated sewage from a vessel.

Question 50

Thru-Hull Fitting

Accepted Answer

A fitting that passes through the hull of a boat, allowing water or other fluids to pass in or out.

Question 51

Paddle Signals

Accepted Answer

Hand signals used by paddlers to communicate on the water without verbal communication.

Question 52

Fueling Station

Accepted Answer

A designated area or facility where boats can refuel with gasoline or diesel.

Question 53

Hypothermia Wrap

Accepted Answer

A thermal blanket or wrap used to help prevent or treat hypothermia by retaining body heat.

Vermont Boating License Flashcards