Skip to content
DG Exit Exam
Home GSK sets
Answer Key

GSK exit exam questions and answers — Set 13 — General Ship Knowledge

Set 13 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.

Bank last rebuilt .

Practise these GSK questions GSK mock exit exam, 30 marks GSK exit exam sets and syllabus

30 of 30 shown · Set 13

Nothing in this set matches that. Try a shorter word, or search the whole key.

Set 13 — 30 GSK exit exam questions with answers

1. One nautical mile is equal to

  • A. 1865 meters
  • B. 1825 meters
  • C. 1852 meters
  • D. 1800 meters
Answer: C — 1852 meters
A nautical mile is defined as exactly 1852 meters, a standard used in maritime and aeronautical navigation worldwide.

2. A Mercator chart has the following identity:

  • A. Alphabetical Code
  • B. Title and a number
  • C. Only number
  • D. Only title
Answer: B — Title and a number
Mercator charts are uniquely identified by both a title, which describes the area they cover, and a specific number for easy referencing and ordering.

3. Courtesy Flag is the flag of the

  • A. Country in which the ship is registered
  • B. Commonwealth Countries
  • C. Company
  • D. Country which the ship is calling
Answer: D — Country which the ship is calling
A courtesy flag is the national flag of the country a vessel is visiting, flown at the foremast as a sign of respect and adherence to local maritime protocols.

4. The Intercode flag which is hoisted when the vessel requires a pilot is

  • A. H
  • B. P
  • C. Q
  • D. G
Answer: D — G
International Code Flag 'G' (Geg) is hoisted by a vessel when pilot is required, indicating its need for navigational assistance.

5. The Intercode flag which is hoisted when the vessel requires free pratique is

  • A. B
  • B. P
  • C. Q
  • D. A
Answer: C — Q
International Code Flag 'Q' (Quebec) is hoisted when a vessel requests free pratique, signifying that it has no quarantine concerns and is ready for pratique to be granted.

6. Match the term "AZIMUTH MIRROR" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Solar system
  • B. Compass error
  • C. 60 nautical miles
  • D. Green buoy
Answer: B — Compass error
An azimuth mirror is used in conjunction with a compass to take bearings of celestial bodies or terrestrial objects, aiding in determining compass error.

7. The earth is a planet in the

  • A. Solar system
  • B. Satellite system
  • C. Lunar system
  • D. Nuclear system
Answer: A — Solar system
The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is part of the Solar System, which includes the Sun and all the celestial bodies that orbit it.

8. A Mercator chart is a:

  • A. Pictorial chart
  • B. Stellar chart
  • C. Navigational chart
  • D. Polar chart
Answer: C — Navigational chart
A Mercator chart is a navigational chart that uses the Mercator projection, making it suitable for plotting courses and determining bearings accurately for sea voyages.

9. Knot is a unit of speed equal to ________ meters per hour

  • A. 2000
  • B. 1900
  • C. 1852
  • D. 2100
Answer: C — 1852
A knot is a unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour. Since one nautical mile is 1852 meters, a knot is equal to 1852 meters per hour.

10. Match the term "MUMBAI HARBOUR" with the most suitable answers given below

  • A. Compass error
  • B. 60 nautical miles
  • C. Green buoy
  • D. Plan chart
Answer: D — Plan chart
Harbour charts, like the one for Mumbai Harbour, are large-scale charts that provide detailed information about a specific port or harbor area, thus they are a type of plan chart.

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

  • A. Compass error
  • B. Green buoy
  • C. Solar system
  • D. 60 nautical miles
Answer: C — Solar system
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and is a significant celestial body within our Solar System.

12. At night a port hand buoy has a _______ light

  • A. Red light
  • B. White light
  • C. Orange light
  • D. Green light
Answer: A — Red light
In the IALA buoyage system, port hand buoys are typically marked with a red light at night, corresponding to their red color during the day.

13. The cemented spurling pipe prevents

  • A. Water from entering into the chain locker
  • B. Cover from getting rusted
  • C. Seaman from falling into the chain locker
  • D. Rust from entering into the chain locker.
Answer: A — Water from entering into the chain locker
The spurling pipe, often cemented, is designed to prevent seawater from entering the chain locker when the anchor is being weighed, thus protecting the anchor chain and locker contents from excessive moisture.

14. The scope of cable depends on the

  • A. The size of the anchor
  • B. Length of anchor chain used
  • C. The size of the anchor chain
  • D. The thickness of the anchor chain
Answer: B — Length of anchor chain used
The scope of a cable, which is the ratio of the length of the anchor chain paid out to the depth of the water, is determined by the length of the anchor chain used, alongside other factors like environmental conditions.

15. Bow stopper is used to:

  • A. Prevent the Anchor from dragging
  • B. Prevent Anchor chain from coming in
  • C. Prevent the Anchor chain from fouling.
  • D. Prevent Anchor chain from running out.
Answer: D — Prevent Anchor chain from running out.
A bow stopper, also known as a devil's claw, is a mechanical device used to secure the anchor chain after it has been hove up. Its primary function is to prevent the chain from running out unintentionally, thereby relieving pressure on the windlass brake.

16. The heaving line is used when berthing to send the

  • A. Rat guard ashore
  • B. Mooring rope ashore
  • C. Fire hose ashore
  • D. Walkie Talkie ashore
Answer: B — Mooring rope ashore
A heaving line is a light, weighted line thrown ashore or to another vessel. It is used to establish a connection, enabling a heavier line, such as a mooring rope, to be hauled across.

17. When berthing a gant line is used to send the

  • A. Lashing material ashore
  • B. Mooring wire ashore
  • C. Heaving line ashore
  • D. Fenders ashore
Answer: B — Mooring wire ashore
A gant line is a light line, often synthetic, used to pass heavier ropes or wires. When berthing, it serves as a messenger line to haul the main mooring wires or ropes from the quay to the ship.

18. A gant line acts as a

  • A. Rocket line
  • B. Marking line
  • C. Heaving line
  • D. Messenger line
Answer: D — Messenger line
A gant line, also referred to as a messenger line, is a light, flexible line used to haul heavier ropes or wires. It facilitates the transfer of mooring lines or wires between the ship and the shore or another vessel.

19. Aft back spring is used to keep the vessel from moving

  • A. Away from the jetty
  • B. Astern
  • C. Ahead
  • D. Athwart ship direction
Answer: B — Astern
An aft spring mooring line runs from the stern of the vessel forward to a quay bollard. It is primarily used to control the vessel's movement astern, preventing it from moving backward away from the jetty.

20. The last link in the anchor chain is called

  • A. Half shackle end.
  • B. Bitter end.
  • C. Better end.
  • D. Chain end
Answer: B — Bitter end.
The bitter end is the terminal end of the anchor chain, which is connected to the ship's structure via a breaking link. It is the last link of the chain that is typically brought on board.

21. Windlass brake lining is attached to

  • A. Gear box
  • B. Brake band
  • C. Windlass motor
  • D. Windlass drum
Answer: B — Brake band
The windlass brake lining is a critical component that provides friction to hold the anchor chain secure. This lining is attached to the brake band, which clamps onto the windlass drum to prevent movement.

22. A vessel can drag anchor when the sea is

  • A. Rough with no tide
  • B. Rough with strong tide
  • C. Calm with strong tide
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
A vessel can drag anchor under various conditions where the holding power of the anchor is overcome. This includes rough seas and strong tides, or even calm conditions with a very strong tide, all of which exert significant force on the anchor.

23. Fenders are placed on the shipside when coming alongside a jetty to protect the

  • A. Mooring ropes from wear and tear
  • B. Bow thrusters from contact damage
  • C. Shipside from contact damage
  • D. Shore bollards
Answer: C — Shipside from contact damage
Fenders are deployed along the ship's side when approaching or lying alongside a jetty or quay. Their purpose is to absorb impact and prevent damage to the vessel's hull and the quay structure.

24. When lowering the tug rope to the tug, the crew must

  • A. Lower the rope in a controlled manner
  • B. Lower the rope with a rope stopper
  • C. Allow the tug to pull the rope
  • D. Let the rope run out immediately
Answer: A — Lower the rope in a controlled manner
When lowering a tug rope, it is crucial to do so in a controlled manner to prevent sudden jerks or accidents. This ensures the safety of personnel and equipment on both vessels.

25. The anchor cable is marked to

  • A. Recognize the number of the shackle coming up on deck
  • B. Measure the length of each cable
  • C. Record when the cable was last painted
  • D. Prevent corrosion
Answer: A — Recognize the number of the shackle coming up on deck
The anchor cable is marked with paint at intervals of one shackle (approximately 27.5 meters). These marks allow the bridge team to accurately determine the amount of cable paid out.

26. The anchor ball is hoisted when the vessel is

  • A. During Manoeuvring at the anchorage area
  • B. During anchoring operations
  • C. During repairs to anchor and anchor chain.
  • D. During anchorage.
Answer: D — During anchorage.
COLREG Rule 30 requires a vessel at anchor to show one ball forward.

27. When anchoring the order "let go" means

  • A. Keep clear of anchor chain
  • B. Allow the anchor to run out by releasing the windlass brake
  • C. Increase the speed of the windlass
  • D. Tighten the windlass brake.
Answer: B — Allow the anchor to run out by releasing the windlass brake
The order 'let go' when anchoring signifies the release of the anchor. This is achieved by disengaging the windlass brake, allowing the anchor and chain to run out freely under gravity.

28. All modern ships have a

  • A. Stock anchor
  • B. Kedge anchor
  • C. Mushroom anchor
  • D. Stockless anchor
Answer: D — Stockless anchor
Modern merchant ships predominantly use stockless anchors, such as the Hall or AC14 type. These anchors are designed for efficient handling and good holding power, with their flukes retracting into the body.

29. When a vessel is at anchor the bow stopper relieves the stress on the

  • A. Hawse pipe
  • B. Anchor Chain
  • C. Warping drum
  • D. Anchor Brake
Answer: D — Anchor Brake
When a vessel is at anchor, the bow stopper (or chain stopper) takes the load off the windlass brake and cable holder. This prevents the windlass mechanism from being subjected to the full strain of the anchor chain.

30. Before proceeding out to sea on a long voyage anchors are secured using

  • A. Chain stopper
  • B. Locking Pin
  • C. Windlass Brake
  • D. Turnbuckle and wire lashing
Answer: D — Turnbuckle and wire lashing
Before sailing on a long voyage, anchors are securely stowed using a combination of the windlass brake, chain stopper, and often wire lashings secured by turnbuckles. This prevents any accidental movement of the anchor during the voyage.

Printing this? Use your browser's Print (Ctrl/⌘ + P) — the buttons, the search box and the site chrome drop out and the questions run on as plain text, so a set fits a few pages. Filter to one set first if you only want that set on paper.

Practise these GSK questions as a timed paper All 585 GSK questions and answers GSK exit exam sets and syllabus All 24 STCW exit exam courses

Send this GSK answer key to your batch

Send on WhatsApp

More free tools for seafarers

Mariners DigestBrief for seafarers, Tue–SatSIRE PRO: Ship InspectionTanker inspection prepRightShip ProRISQ 3.2 dry-cargo inspection prepCOLREGS ReaderRules of the road, read aloud