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GSK exit exam questions and answers — Set 12 — General Ship Knowledge

Set 12 of the General Ship Knowledge (GSK) exit exam bank — 30 of 585 questions, with the correct option marked and a one-line explanation for every one. Read it end to end, jump to a single set, or search it — then sit the same bank as a timed paper. The real DG Shipping exit exam is 30 marks with 15 to pass.

These are the bank's original groupings. Practising deals the whole bank out again every time you reshuffle, so a practice “Set 3” is a different 30 questions each time — the set numbers below are the source file's, and are only used here so the key stays navigable. Options are listed in their original order with fixed letters; when you practise, those move too.

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Set 12 — 30 GSK exit exam questions with answers

1. What is the most likely course of Accident when working under Falling objects

  • A. Head injury
  • B. Eyes injury
  • C. Falls
  • D. Burns
Answer: A — Head injury
Working beneath areas where objects could fall poses a significant risk of head injury. A safety helmet is essential PPE in such scenarios.

2. Ear Muffs will protect ____________

  • A. Feet
  • B. Eyes
  • C. Hands
  • D. Ears
Answer: D — Ears
Ear muffs are a form of hearing protection designed to cover the entire external ear, effectively reducing the level of noise reaching the eardrum and protecting the ears from damage.

3. The vessels position is plotted on the chart as

  • A. Latitude only
  • B. Latitude and Longitude
  • C. Longitude only
  • D. Greenwich Mean Time
Answer: B — Latitude and Longitude
A vessel's position on a nautical chart is defined by its latitude (North or South of the equator) and longitude (East or West of the Prime Meridian), plotted as a specific point.

4. House flag is the flag of the

  • A. Port of call
  • B. Country
  • C. State
  • D. Shipping Company
Answer: D — Shipping Company
The house flag, also known as the owner's flag or company flag, is unique to each shipping company and is flown to identify the company that owns or operates the vessel.

5. The Intercode flag which is hoisted when there is a pilot on board is

  • A. P
  • B. A
  • C. G
  • D. H
Answer: D — H
The 'H' flag in the International Code of Signals signifies 'I have a pilot on board'. It is hoisted to inform other vessels that a pilot is aboard and navigational assistance is being provided.

6. Finished with wheel

  • A. Change to auto pilot
  • B. Change over to emergency steering
  • C. Helms no longer required
  • D. Switch off steering motor
Answer: C — Helms no longer required
When the helm order 'Finished with wheel' is given, it signifies that manual steering is no longer required. The helm is therefore 'finished', meaning the helmsman is relieved of duty.

7. Match the term "COMPASS ROSE" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. 60 nautical miles
  • B. Green buoy
  • C. Solar system
  • D. 360 degrees
Answer: D — 360 degrees
A compass rose, depicted on charts and compasses, is a circle graduated into 360 degrees, representing directions. It is fundamental for determining bearings and courses.

8. Whilst receiving bunkers you must hoist Intercode flag

  • A. “B” (Bravo)
  • B. “D” (Delta)
  • C. “A” (Alpha)
  • D. “C” (Charlie)
Answer: A — “B” (Bravo)
International Code Flag 'B' (Bravo) is hoisted during the transfer of oils or dangerous liquids and gases, including bunkering operations, to signal that the vessel is handling hazardous cargo.

9. Match the term "DISTANCE" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Divider
  • B. Parallel ruler
  • C. Depth in metres
  • D. Planet
Answer: A — Divider
When navigating using charts, a divider is a crucial tool used for measuring and transferring distances between two points on the chart, representing a specific length.

10. Match the term "STARBOARD SIDE OF CHANNEL" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Solar system
  • B. Compass error
  • C. Green buoy
  • D. Bay of Bengal
Answer: C — Green buoy
According to IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) buoyage system, the starboard side of a channel, when entering from seaward, is marked by a green buoy.

11. Match the term "ONE DEGREE" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Compass error
  • B. 360 degrees
  • C. 30 nautical miles
  • D. 60 nautical miles
Answer: D — 60 nautical miles
On a nautical chart, one degree of latitude is equivalent to 60 nautical miles. This is a fundamental conversion used in celestial and terrestrial navigation.

12. Match the term "OCEAN CHART" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Depth in metres
  • B. Green conical buoy
  • C. Red can buoy
  • D. Planet
Answer: A — Depth in metres
Ocean charts cover vast areas of the sea and are typically used for offshore navigation. Their primary function is to show depths and general seafloor topography, hence 'depth in metres' is the most relevant associated term.

13. Flag clips are used to join together two or more

  • A. Seizing wires
  • B. Flags
  • C. Heaving lines
  • D. Halyards
Answer: B — Flags
Flag clips are specifically designed fasteners used to attach multiple flags together, typically for hoisting them on a single halyard for signalling purposes.

14. A strict fire and safety patrol should be kept in the dry dock because

  • A. There are shore staff present on board
  • B. There is no water in dry dock
  • C. Of repair work being carried out
  • D. There is no ship power supply
Answer: C — Of repair work being carried out
During repair work in a dry dock, the presence of flammable materials and hot work increases the risk of fire. A strict fire and safety patrol is essential to mitigate these risks.

15. A vessel steering a course of zero degrees true from the equator without the effect of wind or current

  • A. Increases in longitude steadily
  • B. Increases in latitude steadily
  • C. Decreases in latitude steadily
  • D. Decreases in longitude steadily
Answer: B — Increases in latitude steadily
Steering a course of 000 degrees True from the Equator means travelling directly north along a meridian. As a vessel moves north from the Equator, its latitude steadily increases.

16. The colour of a starboard hand buoy is:

  • A. Green
  • B. Red
  • C. Brown
  • D. Orange
Answer: A — Green
According to the IALA buoyage system, a starboard hand buoy, marking the starboard side of a channel when entering from seaward, is colored green.

17. A vessel steering a course of 090 degrees true from the Greenwich Meridian without the effect of wind or current

  • A. Decreases in easterly longitude steadily
  • B. Increases in easterly longitude steadily
  • C. Increases in westerly longitude steadily
  • D. Decreases in westerly longitude steadily
Answer: B — Increases in easterly longitude steadily
Steering 090°T from the Greenwich meridian moves the ship east, so its east longitude increases steadily.

18. Match the term "STARBOARD HAND" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Red can buoy
  • B. Green conical buoy
  • C. Depth in metres
  • D. Parallel ruler
Answer: B — Green conical buoy
In the IALA buoyage system, a starboard hand mark (buoy) is typically green and often conical in shape, indicating the starboard side of a channel.

19. Match the term "PORT HAND BUOY" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Green conical buoy
  • B. Depth in metres
  • C. Red can buoy
  • D. Star
Answer: C — Red can buoy
A port hand buoy, in the IALA buoyage system, is typically red and can-shaped, marking the port side of a channel when entering from seaward.

20. When there is any under water diving:

  • A. Flag B is hoisted
  • B. Flag P is hoisted
  • C. Flag O is hoisted
  • D. Flag A is hoisted
Answer: D — Flag A is hoisted
When underwater diving operations are in progress, the 'Divers Down' flag (International Code Flag 'A') must be displayed to warn other vessels and prevent navigation in the immediate vicinity.

21. Equator is at

  • A. 180 degrees East
  • B. 90 degrees North
  • C. 90 degrees south
  • D. 0 degrees
Answer: D — 0 degrees
The Equator is defined as the imaginary line around the middle of the Earth at 0 degrees latitude, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

22. The latitude of north pole is at

  • A. 100 degrees North
  • B. 0 degrees North
  • C. 90 degrees North
  • D. 20 degrees South
Answer: C — 90 degrees North
The North Pole is located at the northernmost point of the Earth, defined as 90 degrees North latitude. This is the point where all lines of longitude converge.

23. The shape of a port hand buoy is:

  • A. Conical
  • B. Can
  • C. Hexagonal
  • D. Circular
Answer: B — Can
In the IALA buoyage system, port hand buoys, which mark the left side of a channel when entering from seaward, are typically can-shaped.

24. The Intercode flag which is hoisted before the vessel is ready to sail is

  • A. B
  • B. A
  • C. P
  • D. Q
Answer: C — P
International Code Flag 'P' (Preparative) is hoisted when a vessel is ready to sail, signalling that it is preparing to depart or has finished loading.

25. A vessel when steering by auto-pilot the helmsman

  • A. Not Required on break Bridge
  • B. Can be engage on deck
  • C. Required to stand by on bridge
  • D. Can go off duty
Answer: C — Required to stand by on bridge
Even when a vessel is steering by auto-pilot, the helmsman is still required to be on duty and vigilant on the bridge. This is to ensure immediate manual intervention if the auto-pilot fails or circumstances change.

26. Ensign flag is the flag of the

  • A. Country
  • B. State
  • C. Shipping Company
  • D. Port of call
Answer: A — Country
The ensign is the national flag flown by a merchant ship, signifying its country of registration, as per international maritime law and conventions.

27. A merchant ship is dry docked at intervals of

  • A. 10 months
  • B. 30 months
  • C. 20 months
  • D. 18 months
Answer: B — 30 months
Merchant ships are required to undergo dry-docking for hull inspection and maintenance at regular intervals, typically not exceeding 30 months, as mandated by classification societies and SOLAS.

28. Match the term "VENUS" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Moon
  • B. Depth in metres
  • C. Star
  • D. Planet
Answer: D — Planet
Venus is one of the planets orbiting our Sun, making it a celestial body within the solar system.

29. Coastal charts are available as:

  • A. Bar charts
  • B. Temperature charts
  • C. Mercator charts
  • D. Solar charts
Answer: C — Mercator charts
Coastal charts are typically produced using the Mercator projection, which allows for easier plotting of courses and bearings, as rhumb lines are represented as straight lines.

30. Match the term "COURSE" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Moon
  • B. Divider
  • C. Parallel ruler
  • D. Depth in metres
Answer: C — Parallel ruler
A parallel ruler is a navigational instrument used to transfer bearings or courses from a compass rose on a chart to the vessel's position or desired track.

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