Boating Quiz

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#1. Refer to the image. You are driving a motor yacht fast. There’s a small dinghy stopped and fishing. What should you do?

You are doing nothing illegal, continue your course

Sound your horn to the dingy before passing it.

Turn port and continue course from a distance

Slow down and pass at a safe distance

You have to slow down so you create a smaller wake, smaller vessels on the water have risk of toppling off.

In strong winds a boat cover can act like a parachute.
This increases wind load on cleats, lines, and fittings, and can cause more damage during a typhoon.
For storm conditions, it is often safer to remove covers, fold down or remove biminis, secure all loose items, and focus on strong, well-protected mooring lines.

#4. A motor yacht and a sailing yacht are approaching each other head-on. According to navigation rules, which boat must give way?

Both of them are suppose to alter their ways so they do not collide.

Sailing yacht is suppose to turn windwards and alter it's way, and motor yacht is suppose to turn opposite direction.

Motor yacht is suppose to give way to sailing yacht.

Both are supposed to turn starboard.

Motor yachts are more maneuverable therefore they are supposed to alter their way while the sailing yacht can continue it’s course.

#5. This yacht is tied to a dock. The red lines in the image are spring lines, attached to the center cleat on the yacht. What is the purpose of these spring lines?

To stop the boat from swinging side to side

To control forward and backward movement

To replace bow and stern lines

There incase the bow and stern lines break

#6. Your vinyl seats have developed mold. There are no marine shops nearby, only general stores. You need to clean them safely. What is the best method?

Spray a 50/50 mixture of water and bleach onto the mold, wait a few minutes, then wash it off

Wipe the seats with olive oil and a dry cloth

Use a household vinegar solution only, scrubbing immediately

Apply a strong general-purpose detergent directly and rinse immediately

Many times it is hard to find a proper mold cleaners, but usually mixture of bleach and water works.

#7. What is this switch?

Floating switch for a bilge pump, Automatically turns on when the water level rises in the bilge

Emergency switch to stop engine fuel pump.

Switch for batteries

Switch to turn off the generator

#8. This is a bilge pump, What is the function of a bilge pump?

To remove water that accumulates inside the bottom part of the boat.

To increase engine cooling efficiency

To pump fuel from the tank to the engine

To pump water inside and clean the boat bilge.

#9. See the image, What are these things?

Fuel Filter

Fresh water pump

Raw water strainer

Air con pump

A raw water strainer, also called a sea-water filter, removes debris from seawater before it enters the engine’s cooling system. This protects the engine from blockages and ensures proper cooling.

#10. If your boat has one engine and 2 levers to control the engine. What do the levers control.

Both Levers (Red and Black) Control Engine Speed.

One Lever (Red) Controls Engine Speed, Another (Black) Controls the Gear.

Black Lever controls Engine Speed, Red Lever is for Emergency Stop.

One Lever controls Forward motion, One Lever controls reverse

On this classic dual-engine setup, One Lever controls the Speed (RPM) and other lever is connected to the gear, which controls forward and reverse motion.

#11. Apart from being marine approved. What type of fire extinguisher is best on boats?

Water based fire extinguisher

Dry Powder based fire extinguisher

Foam based fire extinguisher

CO2 based fire extinguisher

On boats, fires can involve fuel, electrical equipment, or ordinary combustibles. Marine-rated ABC dry powder extinguishers are effective on all these types of fires. Water-based extinguishers are dangerous on fuel or electrical fires, and CO₂ is useful for small electrical fires but not for engine or fuel fires.

#12. You are navigating a motorboat in a Harbour and encounter another motor vessel head on. According to navigation rules, which way should you turn to avoid a collision?

Turn to port (left)

Turn to starboard (right)

Stop immediately and reverse

Maintain your course and speed

When two vessels are on opposite courses (head-on), both should turn to starboard (right) to pass port-to-port.

#13. You see a vessel at night showing a red light on your right and a green light on your left. What does this indicate?

The vessel is moving away from you

The vessel is crossing from left to right

The vessel is crossing from right to left

The vessel is approaching you head-on

A vessel’s port side light is red and starboard side light is green.
If you can see both red (on your right side) and green (on your left side) lights at the same time, it means you are facing the front of the vessel and it is coming towards you.

#14. When should you check your bilges for water and leaks?

Before and after taking the boat out

After washing the boat / after a rainy day

Every time you step onto the boat

All of the above

Checking the bilge regularly helps detect leaks early, ensures the bilge pump is working, and prevents water buildup from rain, washing, or engine issues.

#15. While underway, you suddenly notice black smoke from your inboard diesel engine. What is the correct sequence of actions to take?

Replace filters immediately → cruise carefully → and arrange engine service later

Stop the engine → and call for assistance

Reduce speed to lower engine load, return safely to your mooring, then inspect or replace filters and arrange servicing.

Increase throttle briefly to clear the exhaust

Black smoke usually indicates excessive load or restricted air intake. Slowing down reduces stress on the engine and allows you to return safely. Filters and servicing should be checked after, not while underway

#16. If you notice blackish / blue smoke coming from your diesel engine’s exhaust, what does it usually indicate?

Clogged fuel or air filters

Water/steam in the engine

Oil burning inside the engine

Normal operation

Blue smoke is typically caused by oil entering the combustion chamber. This can happen due to worn piston rings, valve guides, or minor internal leaks. It is a sign that the engine may need inspection or maintenance.

#17. What is the main purpose of antifouling paint on the bottom of a boat’s hull?

To make the hull look shiny

To reduce drag by making the hull smoother

To prevent marine growth such as algae, barnacles, and shellfish

To waterproof the hull

Antifouling paint prevents marine growth from attaching to the hull. This helps maintain boat speed, improves fuel efficiency, and protects the hull surface.

#18. In Hong Kong waters, how often is antifouling paint typically required?

Every 2 years

Once a year

once in 6 months

whenever the fouling is visible

Hong Kong has warm water and high marine growth. Because of this, antifouling paint is commonly reapplied every 6 months to remain effective.

#19. What material are most larger yacht propellers commonly made from?

Stainless Steel

Aluminium

Bronze or nickel-aluminium bronze (NAB)

Cast Iron Alloy

Larger yacht propellers are usually made from bronze or nickel-aluminium bronze (NAB) because they are strong, corrosion-resistant, and perform well in seawater.

#20. Metal parts exposed to seawater, including engine components and underwater metals that are electrically connected (bonded), can corrode due to electrolysis. What is the best way to protect them?

Paint the metal with anti corrosion paint

Rinse the metal regularly with fresh water

Install correctly sized sacrificial zinc anodes, onto metals exposed to seawater

Use stainless steel parts only

When metal parts such as engines, shafts, propellers, and thru-hull fittings are exposed to seawater and electrically connected, electrolysis can occur. Sacrificial zinc anodes are designed to corrode first, protecting the more important and expensive metal components.

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