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PSCRB exit exam questions and answers — Set 2 — Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats

Set 2 of the Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) exit exam bank — 30 of 389 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 2 — 30 PSCRB exit exam questions with answers

1. The maximum length of a rescue boat

  • A. None of the above
  • B. 7.3 meter
  • C. 3.8 meter
  • D. 8.5 meter
Answer: D — 8.5 meter
According to the LSA Code, a rescue boat must be no less than 3.8 meters and no more than 8.5 meters in length. These dimensions ensure the boat is maneuverable yet large enough to accommodate a rescue team and a stretcher.

2. The duration of life jacket self-igniting light is

  • A. 6 hours
  • B. 8 hours
  • C. 5 hours
  • D. 4 hours
Answer: B — 8 hours
The LSA Code stipulates that self-igniting lights on lifejackets must have a source of energy capable of providing a luminous intensity of at least 0.75 candela for a period of at least 8 hours.

3. The luminous intensity of a life jacket light

  • A. 0.25 CD
  • B. 0.85 CD
  • C. 0.50 CD
  • D. 0.75 CD
Answer: D — 0.75 CD
The LSA Code mandates that a lifejacket light must have a luminous intensity of at least 0.75 candela in all directions of the upper hemisphere. This intensity provides sufficient visibility for night-time search and rescue operations.

4. How many buoyant smoke signals are available in life raft?

  • A. 8
  • B. 2
  • C. 4
  • D. 6
Answer: B — 2
Buoyant smoke signals are required to be carried in life rafts for daylight distress signaling. A standard life raft outfit includes two of these buoyant smoke signals.

5. What is the range of SART for detecting aircraft?

  • A. 20 nm
  • B. 30 nm
  • C. None of the above
  • D. 10 nm
Answer: B — 30 nm
A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is designed to be detected by X-band radar. The typical range for a SART when detected by an aircraft is approximately 30 nautical miles, provided the SART is at a sufficient height.

6. SART lithium battery voltage

  • A. None of the above
  • B. 4 V
  • C. 2 V
  • D. 5 V
Answer: D — 5 V
SART units utilize lithium batteries as their primary power source. Under international maritime regulations, these batteries are typically specified to operate at a 5-volt level to maintain the transponder's electronic requirements.

7. The immersion suit does not allow the body temperature to drop by more than when immersed for a period of when the water temperature is between 0 and 2 degrees

  • A. 2 degrees, 6 hours
  • B. 1 degree, 6 hours
  • C. 1 degree, 4 hours
  • D. 2 degrees, 4 hours
Answer: A — 2 degrees, 6 hours
LSA Code 2.3.1.3: an insulated immersion suit must keep core temperature fall to not more than 2 C after 6 hours in calm circulating water at 0-2 C.

8. Your small vessel is broken down and rolling in heavy seas. You can reduce the possibility of capsizing by

  • A. Moving all personnel aft
  • B. Moving all personnel forward and low
  • C. Constantly shifting the rudder
  • D. Rigging a sea anchor
Answer: D — Rigging a sea anchor
A sea anchor, or drogue, is used to keep the bow or stern of a vessel into the wind and waves. This prevents the vessel from turning broadside (broaching) to the waves, which is the primary cause of capsizing in heavy seas.

9. Which statement concerning homing signals in the GMDSS is false?

  • A. A homing signal is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites
  • B. A homing signal may be transmitted by equipment attached to the survival craft
  • C. A homing signal cannot be detected by a GPS receiver
  • D. A homing signal provides a bearing for rescue personnel to follow to the signal's source
Answer: A — A homing signal is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites
Homing signals are transmitted by equipment like SARTs or EPIRBs to guide rescue forces to the target. However, COSPAS-SARSAT satellites only detect signals from 406 MHz EPIRBs, not the homing signals transmitted by SARTs.

10. Which virtual distress signal is acceptable for daylight use only?

  • A. Self-contained rocket-propelled parachute red flare
  • B. Hand-held orange smoke distress flare
  • C. Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
  • D. Hand-held red flare
Answer: B — Hand-held orange smoke distress flare
Hand-held orange smoke signals are exclusively for daytime distress signaling. Because they do not emit a bright light, they are ineffective at night, unlike red flares which are visible at any time.

11. How can a SART's effective range be mixed?

  • A. If possible, the SART should be mounted horizontally so that its signal matches that of the searching radar signal
  • B. The SART should be placed in water immediately upon activation
  • C. Switch the SART into the "high" power position
  • D. The SART should be held as high as possible
Answer: D — The SART should be held as high as possible
A SART's radar cross-section and signal reception are significantly improved by height. Mounting or holding the SART as high as possible increases its line-of-sight range, making it easier for search vessels or aircraft to detect the signal.

12. Your vessel has 3 lifeboats on each side. The after most boat on the star board side is designated as boat number

  • A. 3
  • B. 5
  • C. 3 STARBOARD
  • D. 6
Answer: B — 5
In accordance with standard safety muster lists, lifeboat numbering follows a specific convention: odd numbers are on the starboard side (1, 3, 5) and even numbers are on the port side (2, 4, 6), increasing from forward to aft.

13. What is the first action in case of man overboard?

  • A. Throw a life buoy
  • B. Inform bridge
  • C. None of the above
  • D. Raise alarm
Answer: A — Throw a life buoy
In a man overboard situation, the immediate priority is to mark the position and provide buoyancy. Throwing a life buoy, ideally one with a self-igniting light or smoke signal, is the first critical step.

14. All pyrotechnics have a shelf life of

  • A. None of the above
  • B. 48 months
  • C. 3 years
  • D. 5 years
Answer: C — 3 years
SOLAS pyrotechnics typically carry a 3-year (36-month) shelf life from manufacture.

15. VHF EPIRB is designed to be used in which areas?

  • A. Area A1-A2
  • B. Area A4
  • C. Area A1
  • D. None of the above
Answer: C — Area A1
VHF EPIRBs were historically designed for short-range alerting in GMDSS Sea Area A1, where coverage is provided by VHF coast stations with DSC capabilities. Modern global GMDSS relies primarily on satellite-based 406 MHz EPIRBs.

16. What should you do as soon as you enter a life raft?

  • A. All of the above
  • B. Use fishing tackle and fish
  • C. Drink a gallon of water
  • D. Take anti sea sickness tablet
Answer: D — Take anti sea sickness tablet
Sea sickness can lead to rapid dehydration through vomiting and renders survivors ineffective. Taking anti-sea sickness medication immediately upon boarding the life raft is a standard priority to ensure the well-being of the survivors.

17. As per the regulation life savings appliances need NOT to have?

  • A. None of the above
  • B. Bright color with reflective tape
  • C. Resistant to sunlight
  • D. Ready accessible and easy to launch
Answer: A — None of the above
LSA Code 1.2.2 requires LSA to be of highly visible colour with retro-reflective tape, resistant to sunlight, and readily accessible; so none of those can be omitted.

18. Davit of rescue boats due to limit switch how much before the end ?

  • A. 2 inches
  • B. 15 inches
  • C. 1 inch
  • D. 10 inches
Answer: C — 1 inch
Limit switches on rescue boat davits are safety mechanisms that must cut off power to the motor before the boat reaches the final stowage position. This is typically set to occur at 1 inch (25mm) from the end to avoid mechanical shock.

19. How much is the maximum capacity of the life boat?

  • A. 20 persons
  • B. 100 persons
  • C. 60 persons
  • D. 150 persons
Answer: D — 150 persons
Under SOLAS regulations, the maximum capacity of a standard lifeboat is capped at 150 persons. This regulation exists to ensure that evacuation procedures, such as launching and manning, can be safely performed within time limits.

20. Frequency at which the SART operates

  • A. 9 Ghz, 3 cm X band
  • B. 9 Ghz, 9 cm X band
  • C. 5 Ghz, 9 cm X band
  • D. 5 Ghz, 3 cm X band
Answer: A — 9 Ghz, 3 cm X band
A SART operates in the 9 GHz frequency band, which corresponds to the 3 cm X-band radar used on almost all commercial vessels. This allows the SART to be detected by the ship's navigation radar.

21. How much is the duration of the hand flare for the time it works?

  • A. 30 seconds
  • B. 60 seconds
  • C. 90 seconds
  • D. 5 seconds
Answer: B — 60 seconds
LSA Code regulations state that hand-held red flares must burn for at least 60 seconds. This duration provides enough time for the signal to be observed and for rescue assets to identify the source.

22. At what maximum list of a vessel, the life boat are designed to be launched

  • A. Can be launched in calm weather only
  • B. Up to 20 degrees
  • C. 10-degree list
  • D. 5-degree list
Answer: B — Up to 20 degrees
Lifeboats must be designed to be launched successfully even when the vessel is in a damaged condition. This includes being capable of launching against an adverse list of up to 20 degrees.

23. At what maximum trim of a vessel, the lifeboats are designed to be launched

  • A. 10 degrees
  • B. 15 degrees
  • C. Calm weather
  • D. 30 degrees
Answer: A — 10 degrees
In addition to list requirements, lifeboats must be capable of launching under conditions of up to 10 degrees of trim to ensure functionality if the ship's stability or attitude is compromised during an emergency.

24. Safety training on board to the personnel is provided as per the?

  • A. MLC
  • B. STCW
  • C. SOLAS
  • D. ISM
Answer: B — STCW
The STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Convention sets the international standards for safety training, including mandatory drills and familiarization, for all personnel serving on board seagoing ships.

25. Hatches on the life boat are designed such that?

  • A. Self-closing type
  • B. Bolted type with watertight capabilities
  • C. Watertight and can be opened and closed from only inside
  • D. Watertight and can be opened and closed from both sides
Answer: D — Watertight and can be opened and closed from both sides
Hatches on enclosed lifeboats are critical for maintaining buoyancy and protection from elements. Regulations require them to be watertight and designed so they can be operated effectively from both the inside and the outside.

26. Good housekeeping is considered necessary for preventing accidents at sea, what is true regarding same?

  • A. Engine room should be locked, when no one is inside
  • B. Securing tools after work is not needed as we need them next day also
  • C. None of the above
  • D. Wearing dirty clothes in a galley or mess room should be avoided
Answer: D — Wearing dirty clothes in a galley or mess room should be avoided
Maintaining high standards of housekeeping is vital for safety. Ensuring that personal spaces, especially mess rooms and galleys, remain clean prevents contamination and hazards, while proper conduct keeps the ship safe.

27. How can you indicate that your vessel is distress?

  • A. Displaying three black balls in a vertical line
  • B. Displaying a large red flag
  • C. Sounding five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle
  • D. Continuously sounding the fog whistle
Answer: D — Continuously sounding the fog whistle
Distress signals at sea are defined by COLREGs. In addition to visual signals, continuous sounding of the ship's fog whistle is a recognized audible distress signal that indicates the vessel is in urgent need of assistance.

28. An inflatable life raft is hand-launched by

  • A. Throwing the center container overboard
  • B. Pulling a cord
  • C. Removing the rubber packing strip
  • D. Cutting the wire restraining bands
Answer: A — Throwing the center container overboard
Inflatable life rafts that are not davit-launched are designed to be thrown over the side. Once the container is in the water, a sharp pull on the painter line triggers the gas cylinder to inflate the raft.

29. "Thermal protective aids" are required for what percentage of the persons a survival craft is equipped to carry?

  • A. 75%
  • B. 10%
  • C. 100%
  • D. 50%
Answer: B — 10%
The LSA Code requires that Thermal Protective Aids (TPAs) be provided for 10% of the number of persons that the survival craft is equipped to carry, or two, whichever is greater, to provide extra protection for those most at risk.

30. Which gas is mostly used in filling the cylinder of inflatable life raft

  • A. CO2
  • B. Carbon mono oxide
  • C. Oxygen
  • D. Nitrogen
Answer: A — CO2
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the preferred gas for inflating life rafts because it is non-toxic, non-flammable, and can be stored in a compressed state. Upon activation, the gas expands rapidly to fill the buoyancy chambers.

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