Maryland Boating Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT indicated on a boat's capacity plate?

1. Maximum number of passengers

2. Maximum weight limit

3. Maximum hours of operation

4. Maximum horsepower

The correct answer is: Maximum hours of operation

The capacity plate on a boat is a crucial feature that provides safety information regarding the vessel’s limitations. It typically includes the maximum number of passengers allowed, the maximum weight limit the boat can safely carry, and the maximum horsepower the boat's engine can utilize effectively. The maximum hours of operation, however, is not included on a capacity plate. This detail is not pertinent to the operational safety of a vessel in the same way that passenger capacity, weight limits, and horsepower are. Instead, hours of operation may relate to maintenance schedules or engine management but do not directly affect how many people or how much weight a boat can safely handle at one time. Thus, that information is absent from a boat's capacity plate, making it the correct choice in the context of this question.