Sail Through the 2025 Boating License Test – Anchor Your Success and Navigate with Confidence!

Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment

Question: 1 / 185

If your boat capsizes, what should you do?

Swim to the nearest shore quickly

Stay with the boat for buoyancy and visibility

Staying with the boat after a capsize is critically important for several reasons. First, a capsized vessel often provides buoyancy, allowing individuals to stay afloat more easily. Boats are designed to float, and being near or clinging to the boat can significantly increase the chances of survival. Additionally, a capsized boat is much larger and more visible than a person in the water, making it easier for rescuers to spot you.

Being attached to the boat also reduces the risk of exhaustion from swimming, which can set in quickly when trying to reach shore. It is often very difficult to judge distances in the water, and swimming to shore can lead to dehydration, hypothermia, and exhaustion, especially if the swimmer is not an experienced swimmer or if the conditions are poor.

While signaling for help and trying to right the boat might also be considerations, they are secondary to the immediate safety advantage provided by remaining with the boat. Therefore, staying with the boat provides the best chance of being rescued successfully and surviving until help arrives.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

Try to right the boat immediately

Signal for help by waving

Next

Report this question

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy