Maryland Boating Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Maryland Boating Certification Test. Practice with multiple choice quizzes, complete with explanations. Get ready to set sail and ensure your safety and compliance on the water!

Practice this question and more.

What should you do in an emergency situation while boating?

Put on your life jackets and call Channel 16
Paddle to shore
Sound your horn for help
Ignore the situation until help arrives

The correct answer is: Put on your life jackets and call Channel 16

In an emergency situation while boating, the priority is to ensure the safety of everyone on board. Putting on life jackets is crucial because they provide essential buoyancy, which can significantly increase survival chances if someone falls overboard or if the vessel capsizes. Life jackets should always be worn during emergencies or when conditions are hazardous. After ensuring that everyone is wearing a life jacket, calling Channel 16 is the appropriate next step. Channel 16 is the international distress frequency used for emergencies, allowing you to communicate directly with the Coast Guard or other vessels nearby. This communication is vital for getting assistance quickly. Paddling to shore may not always be feasible or safe, especially if conditions are rough or if the boat is taking on water. Sounding the horn for help might alert nearby boats but isn't as effective as using a dedicated distress channel to convey your situation. Lastly, ignoring the situation until help arrives can lead to dangerous consequences, as emergencies often require immediate action to ensure safety. Hence, wearing life jackets and calling for help encapsulates the best practices for handling a boating emergency.