Whatcom Boat Inspection

Question 1 of 10

How do quagga and zebra mussels spread from an affected water body to another water body?

Quagga and zebra mussels are likely spread only by birds and seaplanes.

Quagga and zebra mussels are typically spread only by boats.

Quagga and zebra mussels can be spread by a variety of sources, including downstream flow of water, hitchhiking on or within boats or by latching onto wetted equipment, ropes, gear, toys or apparel.

Question 2 of 10

A watercraft pulls up to the Aquatic Invasive Species Check Station at Lake Whatcom. In which of the following scenarios would this watercraft require decontamination using high-pressure, hot water?

The watercraft is completely cleaned, drained, and dried and was last used in Pearrygin Lake in eastern Washington.

The watercraft has visible adult quagga mussels on the hull and propeller and was last used in Lake Mead 10 days ago.

The watercraft was last used in Lake Terrell and the trailer has some plant fragments hanging off it that can easily be removed by hand.

Question 3 of 10

Quagga and zebra mussels came to North America in the ballast tanks and on the anchor chains of large, transoceanic ships that entered the Great Lakes.

True

False

Question 4 of 10

If you have a non-motorized, hand-carried boat (kayak, canoe) do you need a permit to launch on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish?

Yes – they are included in the AIS Boat Inspection Program

No – they are exempt from the AIS Boat Inspection Program

Question 5 of 10

Zebra and quagga mussels impact recreational opportunities by:

Making beaches and swimming areas hazardous and uninviting by covering them with sharp mussel shells

Damaging boats and equipment

Damaging piers and docks

All of the above

Question 6 of 10

If you get a wire seal attached to your boat and trailer when leaving Lake Whatcom, and then come back to Lake Whatcom another day with the tether still intact, will you need to stop at a staffed inspection station?

No – having an unbroken wire seal shows that my boat was inspected and I can drive past the station without stopping

Yes – I will need to stop briefly so that staff can clip the wire and record identification numbers from my boat

Question 7 of 10

What are inspectors looking and feeling for when they conduct a physical watercraft inspection?

They are looking and feeling for any evidence of aquatic invasive species or standing water that could harbor microscopic aquatic invasive species

They are looking to see what kind of picnic you packed for the day

They are looking to see if you have the appropriate number of life jackets on board

Question 8 of 10

Zebra and Quagga mussels are already present in Whatcom County lakes?

True

False

Question 9 of 10

Inspectors will only need to do a visual inspection of the exterior of the watercraft.

True

False

Question 10 of 10

If a bait well or a hold on your boat has water in it, but the water looks clean, do you still need to drain and dry the hold before launching your boat?

Yes – some AIS are too tiny to see and are carried by water

No – if it looks clean then it is likely rainwater