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PSSR exit exam questions and answers — Set 1

Set 1 of the Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) exit exam bank — 30 of 170 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 1 — 30 PSSR exit exam questions with answers

1. How can information regarding a sick person or injured person be disseminated to the CIRM?

  • A. By passing on medical examination report from the company
  • B. By using the appropriate reporting form
  • C. By contacting the family doctor of the sick person
  • D. None of the above
Answer: B — By using the appropriate reporting form
CIRM (Centro Internazionale Radio Medico) or similar telemedical assistance services require specific medical reporting forms to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment advice for sick or injured personnel.

2. If you saw wisps of smoke coming out under the engine room door, you immediately:

  • A. Activate the fixed fire fighting system
  • B. Raise the alarm
  • C. Close the air vents
  • D. Shut off the main fuel supply
Answer: B — Raise the alarm
Raising the alarm is the mandatory first step to initiate emergency response procedures, ensuring the bridge, engine room, and crew are alerted to the situation immediately.

3. Life jacket should be marked with the:

  • A. Stowage space assigned
  • B. Vessel's name
  • C. Vessel's home port
  • D. Maximum weight allowed
Answer: B — Vessel's name
SOLAS requires that life-saving appliances, including life jackets, are clearly marked with the vessel's name to ensure identification and return to the parent ship during rescue operations.

4. What is the life-saving signal at day for "you are seen-assistance will be given as soon as possible"?

  • A. Orange smoke signal
  • B. Green star rocket
  • C. Horizontal motion of a flag
  • D. Red star rocket
Answer: A — Orange smoke signal
Orange smoke signals are recognized international life-saving signals used during the day to indicate that the survivor has been spotted and assistance is underway.

5. Empathetic listening helps you to:

  • A. Improve mutual understanding and trust
  • B. Improve mutual understanding
  • C. Improve mutual understanding and feeling
  • D. Improve trust and friendship
Answer: A — Improve mutual understanding and trust
Empathetic listening involves active engagement with the speaker, which fosters trust and improves mutual understanding between crew members, enhancing effective teamwork.

6. What is discrimination?

  • A. Making judgments or statements based upon comparison
  • B. Making hateful content
  • C. Judging people discriminately
  • D. Making false statements about others
Answer: A — Making judgments or statements based upon comparison
Discrimination refers to the act of making unjust or prejudicial distinctions between people based on characteristics, which is prohibited in a professional maritime environment.

7. What governs safe procedures at work?

  • A. The Code of Safe Working Practices
  • B. International Safety Management (ISM) Code
  • C. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
  • D. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW)
Answer: A — The Code of Safe Working Practices
The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) is the primary document providing guidance on safety management and safe work procedures on board ships.

8. "Human elements" in a ship means:

  • A. Human behavior
  • B. Human relationship
  • C. Human interaction
  • D. Human error
Answer: D — Human error
Human elements refer to the study of factors, including human error, that influence the performance and safety of personnel working within a technical and high-pressure environment.

9. The windlass is located at:

  • A. The engine room
  • B. Amidships
  • C. The forecastle of the ship
  • D. The stern of the ship
Answer: C — The forecastle of the ship
The windlass is the heavy-duty machinery located on the forecastle (foredeck) of the ship, used for operating the anchors and mooring lines.

10. Displacement refers to the:

  • A. Cubic capacity of a vessel
  • B. Gross tonnage of a vessel
  • C. Number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat
  • D. Deadweight carrying capacity of a vessel
Answer: C — Number of long tons of water displaced by a vessel afloat
Displacement is defined by Archimedes' principle as the weight of the water displaced by the hull of a vessel, which is equivalent to the ship's total weight.

11. What term indicates an inward curvature of the ship's hull above the waterline?

  • A. Deadrise
  • B. Flare
  • C. Tumblehome
  • D. Camber
Answer: C — Tumblehome
Tumblehome describes a ship's hull design where the beam decreases as one moves upward from the waterline toward the deck, creating an inward curvature.

12. Compared to oil tankers, chemical tankers are:

  • A. As large as oil tankers
  • B. More complex to operate
  • C. Less complex to operate
  • D. Capable of carrying only one grade of chemical
Answer: B — More complex to operate
Chemical tankers are more complex to operate due to the specialized requirements for cargo compatibility, stringent safety protocols, and the hazardous nature of various chemicals carried.

13. In the concept of ship handling, what would be the definition of shallow water?

  • A. Under keel clearance of less than 10 feet
  • B. Water depth of less than twice a vessel's draft
  • C. Water depth of less than 1-1/2 times a vessel's draft
  • D. Under keel clearance of twice a vessel's draft
Answer: C — Water depth of less than 1-1/2 times a vessel's draft
In maritime ship handling, shallow water is generally defined as a depth less than 1.5 times the ship's draft, where hydrodynamic effects like squat become significant.

14. Which engineering staff is in charge of engine room maintenance?

  • A. Master
  • B. 2nd engineer
  • C. 3rd engineer
  • D. Chief engineer
Answer: B — 2nd engineer
The Second Engineer is typically responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of engine room machinery, under the overall supervision of the Chief Engineer.

15. Physical stress:

  • A. Is often a symptom of emotional stress
  • B. Is often found in people who exercise regularly
  • C. Rarely is connected to diet
  • D. Rarely causes emotional stress
Answer: A — Is often a symptom of emotional stress
Physical stress is often the physiological manifestation of unresolved emotional or psychological strain. When the body undergoes prolonged stress, it triggers symptoms like tension headaches, fatigue, or high blood pressure, effectively acting as an indicator of underlying emotional stressors.

16. Self-induced stress is mainly due to:

  • A. Personality
  • B. Family
  • C. Economy
  • D. Health
Answer: A — Personality
Self-induced stress arises from an individual's internal psychological makeup, including their personality traits, perception of events, and behavioral patterns. Unlike external factors like economy or family, these are internalized responses that determine how one reacts to challenges.

17. Balancing life goals, taking control of thoughts and emotions, and managing schedules are all components of:

  • A. Being practical
  • B. Coping with stress
  • C. Identifying sources of stress
  • D. Taking control
Answer: D — Taking control
Taking control involves proactive management of one's environment and internal state. By organizing schedules, balancing goals, and regulating emotional responses, an individual asserts agency over their stress levels rather than being a passive recipient of external pressures.

18. One of the most important factors determining the success of an organization is:

  • A. Performance of its employees
  • B. Effective management
  • C. Methods to combat internal personnel stress
  • D. Continuous and positive profits
Answer: A — Performance of its employees
An organization's success is fundamentally built upon its human capital. While management and profit are essential, the performance, dedication, and competence of the employees are the primary drivers of operational excellence and organizational goals.

19. Direct blood contact can occur through all except:

  • A. Needle sharing
  • B. Transfusion
  • C. Accident in healthcare settings
  • D. Sharing of beds
Answer: D — Sharing of beds
Direct blood contact usually requires a vector like needles or open wounds. Sharing a bed does not involve the direct exchange of bodily fluids required for bloodborne pathogen transmission, making it an incorrect method of direct blood contact.

20. When fuel oil is being topped off during bunkering operations, the tank valve should be closed:

  • A. Rapidly to prevent overflow
  • B. Slowly to prevent surge stresses
  • C. After the shore pumps are stopped
  • D. To prevent gas from escaping through the pressure-vacuum relief valves
Answer: B — Slowly to prevent surge stresses
Closing valves slowly is critical during the final stages of bunkering to prevent 'surge' or 'water hammer' effects. Rapidly closing valves against high-velocity flow can cause pipe ruptures or mechanical damage due to pressure spikes.

21. Oil pollution regulations require any transfer or discharge of oil or oily mixtures to be recorded in the:

  • A. Master's log
  • B. Bridge log
  • C. Oil record book
  • D. Pollution control record
Answer: C — Oil record book
Under MARPOL Annex I, all oil-related operations, including bunker transfers, ballast, and cleaning, must be documented in the Oil Record Book. This is a legal requirement for demonstrating compliance with international pollution prevention standards.

22. What is the primary safety duty for an individual crew member on board a vessel?

  • A. Ensure the absolute safety of personal equipment only
  • B. Minimize personal workload to avoid exhaustion
  • C. Report faults only during official safety committee meetings
  • D. Follow safe working practices and look out for the safety of fellow crew members
Answer: D — Follow safe working practices and look out for the safety of fellow crew members
The primary duty of every seafarer under safety management systems is personal vigilance and the protection of colleagues. Creating a safe work environment requires individual accountability and looking out for the welfare of the team to prevent incidents.

23. When finding yourself working in a noise-heavy engine room environment, what protective equipment is considered most necessary?

  • A. High-visibility safety vest
  • B. Fire-retardant safety suit
  • C. Eye protection goggles
  • D. Ear muffs or ear plugs
Answer: D — Ear muffs or ear plugs
Noise-heavy environments like engine rooms present a risk of long-term occupational hearing loss. Ear muffs or ear plugs (Personal Protective Equipment) are mandatory to mitigate acoustic damage and comply with noise control regulations.

24. If you discover a fire in the engine room or galley space, what should your immediate first step be?

  • A. Report the situation and sound the emergency fire alarm
  • B. Evacuate directly to the lifeboat station without notifying anyone
  • C. Locate and read the emergency instruction manual
  • D. Attempt to extinguish the fire entirely on your own
Answer: A — Report the situation and sound the emergency fire alarm
In any emergency, the primary rule is to notify others immediately by sounding the alarm to activate the ship's emergency response team. Attempting to fight a fire alone without assistance is dangerous and violates standard emergency procedures.

25. Under Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) standards, what document must be signed by both the seafarer and the shipowner (or representative) outlining employment terms?

  • A. Ship's Official Log Book
  • B. Vessel Safety Management Certificate
  • C. Seafarer’s Employment Agreement (SEA)
  • D. Port State Control Clearance
Answer: C — Seafarer’s Employment Agreement (SEA)
The Seafarer’s Employment Agreement (SEA) is a mandatory requirement under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. It ensures that the terms of employment, including wages, hours of work, and repatriation rights, are transparently agreed upon by both parties.

26. According to international MARPOL regulations designed to control marine pollution, which of the following records is mandatory to log oil-related machinery space operations?

  • A. Cargo Manifest Log
  • B. Oil Record Book (Part 1)
  • C. Deck Movement Log
  • D. Garbage Record Book
Answer: B — Oil Record Book (Part 1)
MARPOL Annex I requires that every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above carry an Oil Record Book (Part I - Machinery Space Operations). This document records all movements of oil or sludge to verify compliance with international discharge standards.

27. To ensure safety and prevent onboard transmission of pathogens, how should specialized bio-medical waste or clinical sharps generated on board be managed?

  • A. Flushed directly into the sewage treatment plant
  • B. Discarded openly along with general domestic galley waste
  • C. Thrown directly overboard outside of special areas
  • D. Stored securely in dedicated, marked containers for safe disposal shore-side
Answer: D — Stored securely in dedicated, marked containers for safe disposal shore-side
Bio-medical waste poses a high infection risk and cannot be treated as general waste. It must be segregated, labeled, and stored in dedicated, secure containers on board until it can be safely disposed of at an authorized shore facility.

28. Under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), what is the minimum mandatory period of rest required for watchkeeping personnel in any 24-hour period?

  • A. 12 hours
  • B. 6 hours
  • C. 8 hours
  • D. 10 hours
Answer: D — 10 hours
Under STCW 2010 regulations, seafarers must have at least 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period, and 77 hours in any 7-day period. These limits are designed to prevent fatigue, which is a leading cause of maritime accidents.

29. What is the standard spoken emergency distress signal used over a VHF radio to indicate a vessel is in imminent danger?

  • A. Security
  • B. Mayday
  • C. Pan-Pan
  • D. Red Alert
Answer: B — Mayday
Mayday is the internationally recognized distress signal used in voice communications to indicate that a vessel is in grave and imminent danger. It signals the need for immediate assistance from nearby vessels or authorities.

30. When rescuing a person from a confined space, what is the absolute priority required to consider the space safe for entry?

  • A. Fire retardant gear
  • B. Presence of oxygen (safe atmospheric level)
  • C. Eye protection
  • D. Safety lights
Answer: B — Presence of oxygen (safe atmospheric level)
Before entering a confined space, the atmosphere must be verified safe for life support. Oxygen levels, as well as the presence of toxic or flammable gases, must be tested to ensure the space is safe for entry.

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