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GSK exit exam questions and answers — Set 8 — General Ship Knowledge

Set 8 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 8 — 30 GSK exit exam questions with answers

1. Entries in the Official Log Book are made by the

  • A. Master
  • B. Chief Engineer
  • C. Second Engineer
  • D. Second Officer
Answer: A — Master
The Master of the ship is responsible for maintaining the Official Log Book, and therefore all entries concerning significant events, including disciplinary actions, are made by them.

2. PSC can detain a vessel if the

  • A. Rat guards are not placed properly on the mooring ropes
  • B. Competence of the crew is below standard
  • C. Cargo operations slows down
  • D. Shipside is rusted chapterially
Answer: B — Competence of the crew is below standard
Port State Control (PSC) has the authority to detain a vessel if it identifies deficiencies that are serious enough to impact safety or the environment, such as the substandard competence of the crew.

3. A seaman is guilty of an offense against discipline if he/she

  • A. Does not live in a hygienic condition
  • B. Is unable to steer the ship steadily
  • C. Forgets to wear his safety shoes
  • D. Assaults another seaman on board
Answer: D — Assaults another seaman on board
Assaulting another seaman on board constitutes a serious breach of maritime discipline and is considered a significant offense requiring disciplinary action under shipboard regulations and maritime law.

4. The following certificate need not be carried on board by the seaman

  • A. Medical Certificate
  • B. Continuous Discharge Certificate
  • C. Mandatory STCW Certificates
  • D. School Leaving Certificate
Answer: D — School Leaving Certificate
A School Leaving Certificate is an educational document and is not required to be carried on board by a seaman for professional duties; mandatory certificates relate to competency and employment.

5. Crews personal property declaration is a requirement of the port

  • A. Customs
  • B. Control
  • C. Signal Station
  • D. Health
Answer: A — Customs
Declaration of personal property is primarily a requirement of port customs authorities. This is to ensure compliance with import/export regulations and to prevent the unauthorized entry of goods.

6. All entries of offence in the Official Log Book against a seaman have to be signed by

  • A. Master, Chief Officer and one crew member
  • B. Master and one crew member
  • C. Master only
  • D. Master and Chief Officer
Answer: A — Master, Chief Officer and one crew member
Entries of offences in the Official Log Book against a seaman must be signed by the Master, Chief Officer, and one other crew member who witnessed the offence or is present during the entry. This ensures transparency and corroboration.

7. Any act of misconduct requiring disciplinary action against a seaman is entered in the

  • A. Engine Log Book
  • B. Official Log Book
  • C. D.C
  • D. Bridge Movement Book
Answer: B — Official Log Book
Any act of misconduct or offence committed by a seaman that may lead to disciplinary action is officially recorded in the Official Log Book, serving as a legal record of shipboard events.

8. A seaman lawfully engaged can have his CDC suspended by DGS if he is

  • A. Delayed in returning back to the ship from shore
  • B. Found indulging in gossip
  • C. Unable to operate the crane to the satisfaction of the duty officer
  • D. Convicted of an offense of smuggling narcotics
Answer: D — Convicted of an offense of smuggling narcotics
A seaman convicted of smuggling narcotics commits a serious criminal offense that directly impacts their fitness to be at sea and can lead to the suspension of their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC).

9. A vessel which has a dead person on board should anchor at the

  • A. Quarantine anchorage
  • B. Inner anchorage
  • C. Pilot anchorage
  • D. Working anchorage
Answer: A — Quarantine anchorage
A Quarantine Anchorage is designated for vessels arriving with persons on board suffering from infectious diseases or in this case, a dead person, pending clearance from health authorities.

10. The purpose of SOLAS to

  • A. How to launch life boat
  • B. How to conduct boat / fire drills
  • C. Advice ship officer on how to navigate their ships
  • D. Enhance Safety of life at sea
Answer: D — Enhance Safety of life at sea
The primary purpose of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention is to enhance the safety of life at sea by setting minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships.

11. A maritime declaration of health is to be submitted to the Port Health to obtain

  • A. Pilot
  • B. Contact with port control
  • C. Free Pratique
  • D. Contact with signal station
Answer: C — Free Pratique
A Maritime Declaration of Health is submitted to Port Health authorities to declare the health status of the ship and its crew, and upon acceptance, the vessel is granted Free Pratique, allowing pratique boarding.

12. Compensation benefits for the seaman is listed in the

  • A. DGS circulars
  • B. Merchant Shipping Notices
  • C. Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • D. Notices to mariners
Answer: C — Collective Bargaining Agreement
Compensation benefits for seafarers are typically detailed and governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated between shipowners and seafarer unions.

13. STCW stands for

  • A. Structured ,Training, Certification and Watch keeping
  • B. Shipboard, Training, Certification and Watch keeping
  • C. Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping
  • D. Seafarers, Training, Certification and Watch keeping
Answer: C — Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is an international convention setting the minimum standards for training and certification of seafarers.

14. The course of the ship is entered every watch in the

  • A. Deck Log Book
  • B. Medical Log Book
  • C. GMDSS Log Book
  • D. Official Log Book
Answer: A — Deck Log Book
The course of the ship, along with other navigational details like position and log entries, is recorded in the Deck Log Book for each watch.

15. Details of shipboard life saving and fire fighting appliances is described in the

  • A. SOLAS Convention
  • B. ILO Convention
  • C. MARPOL Convention
  • D. STCW Convention
Answer: A — SOLAS Convention
The SOLAS Convention extensively details requirements for shipboard Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) and Fire Fighting Appliances (FFA) to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew.

16. Under STCW standards for General Ship Knowledge, how often must refresher training or evidence of competence be demonstrated?

  • A. Every 10 years
  • B. Every 5 years
  • C. Every 2 years
  • D. Annually
Answer: B — Every 5 years
STCW 2010 Manila Amendments require seafarers to demonstrate continued competence every 5 years.

17. What primary safety objective is governed by the General Ship Knowledge module on board ship?

  • A. Automating engine control
  • B. Optimizing fuel consumption
  • C. Minimizing port dues
  • D. Enhancing shipboard safety and emergency readiness
Answer: D — Enhancing shipboard safety and emergency readiness
The core objective of STCW safety modules is protecting human life and vessel integrity.

18. What documented safety check must be performed before starting operations related to General Ship Knowledge?

  • A. Engine logbook entry only
  • B. Bridge sign-off without briefing
  • C. Verbal request to port authority
  • D. Risk assessment and toolbox meeting
Answer: D — Risk assessment and toolbox meeting
Toolbox briefings and risk assessments ensure all personnel understand operational hazards.

19. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory during General Ship Knowledge practical tasks?

  • A. High-visibility vest only
  • B. Approved PPE meeting IMO/SOLAS standards
  • C. Standard street clothes with safety boots
  • D. Basic cotton coveralls only
Answer: B — Approved PPE meeting IMO/SOLAS standards
Appropriate certified PPE protects personnel against specific task hazards.

20. Which international convention mandates compliance for General Ship Knowledge operational procedures?

  • A. Tonnage Convention 1969
  • B. STCW Convention as amended
  • C. COLREGs 1972
  • D. Load Line Convention 1966
Answer: B — STCW Convention as amended
STCW governs training, certification, and watchkeeping standards worldwide.

21. In case of an emergency scenario during General Ship Knowledge operations, what is the immediate first step?

  • A. Evacuate vessel immediately without alert
  • B. Log the event in diary
  • C. Raise the alarm and notify Officer of the Watch / Duty Engineer
  • D. Attempt to fix without informing others
Answer: C — Raise the alarm and notify Officer of the Watch / Duty Engineer
Promptly raising the alarm activates emergency response teams and master protocol.

22. What document contains emergency procedures and duties for crew members regarding General Ship Knowledge?

  • A. Garbage Record Book
  • B. Muster List and Emergency Instructions
  • C. Oil Record Book Part I
  • D. Cargo Manifest
Answer: B — Muster List and Emergency Instructions
The Muster List specifies assigned duties and station locations for every crew member.

23. What key responsibility rests with seafarers participating in General Ship Knowledge drills?

  • A. Active participation and compliance with safety protocols
  • B. Signing attendance without attending
  • C. Observing without participating
  • D. Bypassing safety gear for speed
Answer: A — Active participation and compliance with safety protocols
Realistic drill practice ensures effective performance during actual emergencies.

24. What log entry is required following completion of General Ship Knowledge drills on board?

  • A. Verbal update to port agent
  • B. No log entry required
  • C. Personal diary note
  • D. Official Deck / Engine Logbook entry recording date, drill type, and duration
Answer: D — Official Deck / Engine Logbook entry recording date, drill type, and duration
SOLAS and flag state regulations require formal logbook documentation of all drills.

25. Regarding practical watchkeeping and logbook documentation in General Ship Knowledge, what is the mandatory safety standard required under STCW Code Table A-II/4?

  • A. Non-mandatory recommendation
  • B. Full compliance with approved STCW safety procedures and SMS protocols
  • C. Applicable only when vessel is anchored
  • D. Optional compliance based on crew discretion
Answer: B — Full compliance with approved STCW safety procedures and SMS protocols
STCW Code Section A-II/4 requires strict adherence to approved safety protocols for General Ship Knowledge.

26. What is the primary purpose of the collision bulkhead located at the fore end of a vessel?

  • A. Serve as crew quarters
  • B. Prevent water from flooding the ship in the event of bow impact or collision damage
  • C. Support the anchor windlass engine
  • D. Store fresh drinking water
Answer: B — Prevent water from flooding the ship in the event of bow impact or collision damage
The collision bulkhead is a watertight transverse bulkhead located near the bow to contain forward damage.

27. Under MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum oil discharge content allowed for machinery space bilges en route?

  • A. 15 parts per million (15 ppm)
  • B. 0 ppm at all times
  • C. 50 ppm
  • D. 100 ppm
Answer: A — 15 parts per million (15 ppm)
MARPOL Annex I limits oily bilge discharge through an approved OWS to 15 ppm.

28. What color marker buoy indicates the starboard side of a channel when entering port under IALA Region A?

  • A. Black
  • B. Yellow
  • C. Red
  • D. Green
Answer: D — Green
In IALA Region A, green lateral marks are kept to starboard when entering from sea.

29. What is the function of the bilge keel attached to a ship's hull outer shell plating?

  • A. Reduce roll amplitude and damp rolling motion in heavy seas
  • B. Support drydock blocks
  • C. Protect propeller from ice
  • D. Increase vessel speed
Answer: A — Reduce roll amplitude and damp rolling motion in heavy seas
Bilge keels provide hydrodynamic resistance to reduce rolling motion.

30. Under COLREG Rule 5, what is the duty of every vessel regarding look-out?

  • A. Assign look-out duties only at night
  • B. Maintain a proper look-out at all times by sight and hearing as well as by all available means
  • C. Use radar only without visual checks
  • D. Look out only during fog
Answer: B — Maintain a proper look-out at all times by sight and hearing as well as by all available means
Rule 5 mandates a continuous, proper look-out using all available senses and equipment.

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