1. Before working on the stage the seaman should inspect the stage to ensure that the
- A. Rope is of polypropylene
- B. Length of the stage is 2m
- C. Wood is intact and free from grease
- D. Mooring lines are kept tight
Answer: C — Wood is intact and free from grease
Before using a stage for tasks like shipside painting, a thorough inspection is crucial. The seaman must ensure the wood is sound, free from cracks or rot, and importantly, free from grease or oil, which could make it slippery and hazardous.
2. When lifting a spar vertically through a manhole the hitch to use is
- A. Draw hitch
- B. Midshipman hitch
- C. Timber hitch
- D. Clove hitch
Answer: C — Timber hitch
A timber hitch is the most suitable knot for lifting a spar or log vertically through a manhole. It securely grips the timber and tightens as the load is applied, while being relatively easy to release afterward.
3. What parameter must be verified prior to authorizing enclosed space entry for practical watchkeeping and logbook documentation related to General Ship Knowledge?
- A. Oxygen level at 15% with ventilation turned off
- B. Visual inspection through access hatch without gas testing
- C. Temperature check only
- D. Atmospheric oxygen level at 20.9% and zero toxic/flammable gas concentration
Answer: D — Atmospheric oxygen level at 20.9% and zero toxic/flammable gas concentration
Enclosed space safety requires verified atmospheric gas testing prior to entry.
4. In freezing weather the mooring winches should be started at least 30 minutes before use to
- A. Warm up the system
- B. Check the oil level
- C. Remove the ropes from the store
- D. Lower the anchor
Answer: A — Warm up the system
In freezing conditions, starting mooring winches at least 30 minutes before use is essential to warm up the hydraulic or electrical systems. This prevents damage caused by cold, stiff components and ensures proper operation.
5. The full form of EEBD is
- A. Emergency exit below deck
- B. Emergency escape below deck
- C. Emergency escape breaking device
- D. Emergency escape breathing device
Answer: D — Emergency escape breathing device
EEBD stands for Emergency Escape Breathing Device. It provides a self-contained source of breathable air for personnel to safely escape from hazardous atmospheres, such as in a fire or toxic gas release situation.
6. Safety goggles are used to protect the eyes from
- A. Snow
- B. Wet weather
- C. Foreign bodies entering
- D. Heavy weather
Answer: C — Foreign bodies entering
Safety goggles are mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the eyes from potential hazards. They prevent foreign bodies, such as flying debris, dust, or splashes, from entering the eyes during work.
7. After abandon ship, the survivors in a lifeboat must be given
- A. No water for the first twenty four hours
- B. One litre of water each
- C. Half a litre of water each
- D. Two litres of water each
Answer: A — No water for the first twenty four hours
As per SOLAS regulations and survival best practices, survivors in a lifeboat should not be given any water for the first 24 hours after abandoning ship. This conserves the limited supply for when dehydration becomes a critical concern.
8. When the ship is alongside a wharf the safe access to the ship is by the
- A. Coolie ladder
- B. Pilot ladder
- C. Combination ladder
- D. Gangway
Answer: D — Gangway
When a vessel is alongside a wharf or quay, the gangway is the standard and safest means of access to and from the ship. It provides a stable, fixed walkway that complies with safety regulations for personnel transfer.
9. Match the word "RESTRICTED IN HER ABILITY TO MANEUVER" with the most suitable word given below
- A. Altering course to Stateboard
- B. Five short blasts
- C. One prolonged blast followed by two short
- D. One prolonged blast every two minutes
Answer: C — One prolonged blast followed by two short
According to Rule 3(ii) of COLREGs, a vessel 'restricted in her ability to maneuver' is one that cannot take actions to avoid another ship due to her work. The defined sound signal for such a vessel when underway is one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.
10. SOLAS deals with
- A. Tank cleaning
- B. Safety
- C. Crew welfare
- D. Pollution
Answer: B — Safety
SOLAS, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, is a critical maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships. It directly addresses numerous aspects of ship safety to protect lives at sea.
11. Disposal of all food waste should be entered in the
- A. Cargo record book
- B. Oil record book
- C. Garbage record book
- D. Bridge log book
Answer: C — Garbage record book
MARPOL Annex V governs the discharge of garbage from ships. All food waste, including that from galleys and living spaces, must be recorded in the Garbage Record Book, detailing quantities and disposal methods (e.g., incineration, discharge, or delivery to shore reception facilities).
12. While working near the funnel, check with the officer on the bridge that he has informed the
- A. Engine room to switch off power on deck
- B. Engine room to switch off air/steam to whistle
- C. Master
- D. Count number of seamen working
Answer: B — Engine room to switch off air/steam to whistle
When working near the funnel, especially if maintenance involves noise or potential steam release, it's crucial to coordinate with the bridge. The bridge must inform the engine room to temporarily stop the whistle (using steam or air) to prevent confusion or injury to personnel on deck.
13. What type of portable extinguisher should be used for oil fire
- A. CO2 type
- B. Water type
- C. Foam type
- D. Soda water
Answer: C — Foam type
Oil fires, often classified as Class B fires, involve flammable liquids. Foam extinguishers work by creating a blanket over the burning surface, separating the fuel from the air and cooling it. Water-based extinguishers are ineffective and can spread the fire.
14. Match the term "MAKING WAY THROUGH WATER" with the most suitable answers given below
- A. Five short blasts
- B. Altering course to Stateboard
- C. One prolonged blast followed by two short
- D. One prolonged blast every two minutes
Answer: D — One prolonged blast every two minutes
The COLREGs define sound signals for vessels. 'Making way through water' means the vessel is underway and moving. The prescribed sound signal for a power-driven vessel making way through the water, when not otherwise required to be making sound signals, is one prolonged blast every two minutes.
15. Number of lifebuoys on a ship depends on its
- A. Length
- B. Moulded breadth
- C. Deadweight
- D. Draught
Answer: A — Length
The number of lifebuoys required on a ship is determined by its overall length, as specified by SOLAS Chapter III. Longer vessels require a proportionally greater number of lifebuoys to ensure adequate coverage around the ship's perimeter for immediate rescue in case of man overboard.
16. What immediate action will you take if you see a man falling overboard at sea
- A. Release lifebuoy and MOB
- B. Sound emergency station
- C. Jump into the sea
- D. Inform duty officer
Answer: A — Release lifebuoy and MOB
The immediate and crucial first action upon seeing a person fall overboard is to activate the rescue process. This involves releasing a lifebuoy with its attached light/smoke signal and immediately alerting the bridge by sounding the 'Man Overboard' alarm and the MOB button on the GMDSS.
17. When you smell something burning in your cabin your first action should be
- A. Wait for the fire alarm to ring
- B. Get a portable extinguisher to extinguish fire
- C. Telephone the next cabin to warn
- D. Vacate the cabin and raise alarm
Answer: D — Vacate the cabin and raise alarm
Upon smelling smoke in your cabin, the first and most critical action is to evacuate the immediate area and raise the alarm to alert others. This ensures personal safety and allows for a trained response by the ship's crew to assess and fight the fire.
18. Red parachute flares are called
- A. Light technics
- B. Pyrotechnics
- C. Flare technics
- D. Fire technics
Answer: B — Pyrotechnics
Red parachute flares are pyrotechnic distress signals used to indicate a vessel's position to rescuers, especially at night or in poor visibility. 'Pyrotechnics' is the general term encompassing all such signaling devices that involve a chemical reaction producing light or smoke.
19. For fighting an electrical fire, the action to be taken is to use a
- A. Soda Acid Extinguisher
- B. Portable CO2 extinguisher
- C. Water Hose
- D. Foam Extinguisher
Answer: B — Portable CO2 extinguisher
Electrical fires (Class C) are best fought with a non-conductive agent. A portable CO2 extinguisher is ideal as it displaces oxygen and cools the fire without leaving residue or conducting electricity, thus preventing further damage or risk to personnel.
20. The following task requires a hot work permit
- A. Welding on deck
- B. Painting on deck
- C. Lifeboat drill
- D. Opening hatch covers
Answer: A — Welding on deck
A hot work permit is mandatory for any activity that involves open flames, sparks, or high temperatures. Welding on deck generates sparks and heat, posing a significant fire risk, hence the requirement for a permit to ensure safety precautions are in place.
21. Ear muffs are used to protect the ears from
- A. Inflammable gases
- B. Heat radiation
- C. Bacterial infection
- D. High intensity sound
Answer: D — High intensity sound
Ear muffs are personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to attenuate sound. They are used to protect the wearer's hearing from potentially damaging high-intensity noise levels commonly found in engine rooms, workshops, or during cargo operations.
22. Rigging the "Emergency Towing Arrangement" fore and aft when alongside is mandatory for
- A. General cargo ships
- B. Bulk carriers
- C. Tankers
- D. Container ships
Answer: C — Tankers
The requirement to rig emergency towing arrangements when alongside is particularly emphasized for tankers due to the nature of their cargo. It ensures a rapid and safe means of towing in case of an emergency that might necessitate unberthing quickly, minimizing pollution risk.
23. Inspection of life saving appliances shall be carried out
- A. Monthly
- B. Weekly
- C. Half yearly
- D. Bimonthly
Answer: A — Monthly
SOLAS Chapter III requires regular inspections of life-saving appliances (LSA). These inspections are typically carried out monthly by the ship's crew to ensure all equipment is in good condition and ready for immediate use in an emergency.
24. Safety harness is used
- A. To store safety items
- B. When cleaning the wheelhouse
- C. To prevent backache
- D. When working aloft
Answer: D — When working aloft
A safety harness is a critical piece of PPE used to prevent falls when personnel are working at height. Its primary function is to secure the worker and arrest a fall, ensuring safety when working aloft or in other elevated positions.
25. During Bunkering
- A. Plug air pipes
- B. Plug sounding pipes
- C. Plug all deck scuppers
- D. Raise the gangway
Answer: C — Plug all deck scuppers
During bunkering operations, all deck scuppers must be plugged. This is a crucial safety measure to prevent any potential spill of fuel oil or other hazardous substances from escaping overboard and causing marine pollution.
26. The markings on a lifejacket include
- A. Ship owners name
- B. Ship masters name
- C. Ships port of registry
- D. Ships GRT
Answer: C — Ships port of registry
As per international regulations, lifejackets must be clearly marked with specific information. The ship's port of registry is a mandatory marking to identify the vessel to which the lifejacket belongs, aiding in inventory and accountability.
27. A self-contained breathing apparatus
- A. Is connected to the deck air line
- B. Is used for entry in enclosed spaces
- C. Is used for underwater surveys
- D. Contains oxygen
Answer: B — Is used for entry in enclosed spaces
A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) provides a supply of clean breathing air and is essential for entering potentially hazardous atmospheres. Its primary use is for entry into confined spaces where the air may be deficient in oxygen or contaminated with toxic gases.
28. Match the term "TWO SHORT BLASTS" with the most suitable answers given below
- A. Altering course to Starboard
- B. Altering course to port
- C. One prolonged blast followed by two short
- D. One prolonged blast every two minutes
Answer: B — Altering course to port
According to Rule 34 of COLREGs, two short blasts sounded in succession indicate that a vessel altering course to port is intended. This is a maneuvering signal used between vessels to indicate intentions in compliance with the Rules of the Road.
29. The familiarization of the joining crew is done by the
- A. Outgoing crew member
- B. Cadets
- C. Master
- D. Chief engineer
Answer: A — Outgoing crew member
Familiarization with a ship's layout, safety procedures, and equipment for joining crew members is typically provided by an outgoing crew member. This ensures a smooth transition and that new personnel are adequately informed about essential operational and safety aspects.
30. The distress signals, required to be kept in a lifeboat are
- A. Smoke signals + Line throwing apparatus
- B. Rocket parachutes + Hand flares
- C. Rocket parachutes + Hand flares+ Smoke signals
- D. Hand flares
Answer: C — Rocket parachutes + Hand flares+ Smoke signals
Lifeboats must carry a comprehensive set of distress signals as per SOLAS. This includes rocket-parachute signals, hand flares, and smoke signals, all designed to alert potential rescuers and indicate the lifeboat's position effectively in an emergency.
