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PSSR exit exam questions and answers — Set 2

Set 2 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 2 — 30 PSSR exit exam questions with answers

1. A negative attitude, inability to manage time, and low self-esteem are personal factors that add to seafarer stress. These fall under:

  • A. Environmental factors
  • B. Personality factors
  • C. Community factors
  • D. Emotional factors
Answer: B — Personality factors
A negative attitude and low self-esteem are internal psychological attributes. Because these factors originate from within the individual's mental and behavioral framework, they are classified as personality factors that exacerbate stress.

2. High concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide ($H_2S$) gas are extremely dangerous to personnel because they can:

  • A. Paralyze your breathing system
  • B. Cause dizziness
  • C. Cause involuntary skeletal muscle contractions
  • D. Cause eye inflammation
Answer: A — Paralyze your breathing system
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic, lethal gas. At high concentrations, it acts as a respiratory paralyzer by inhibiting cellular respiration, which can lead to instant collapse and death for the unsuspecting person.

3. What must the watchstanding engineer do periodically while on an operational engine room watch?

  • A. Take routine rounds of the engine room
  • B. Conduct major overhaul repairs of equipment
  • C. Stand idle at the control station
  • D. None of the above
Answer: A — Take routine rounds of the engine room
Routine rounds are vital for the watchkeeping engineer to identify abnormalities such as leaks, vibration, or temperature spikes. Constant monitoring ensures that equipment is performing within normal parameters to prevent potential failures.

4. What is the fundamental difference between listening and hearing?

  • A. Listening is conscious and hearing is effortless
  • B. Listening is natural and hearing is physical
  • C. Listening is conscious and hearing is mechanical
  • D. Listening is mechanical and hearing is normal
Answer: C — Listening is conscious and hearing is mechanical
Hearing is a physiological process of detecting sound vibrations, whereas listening is a conscious, active process of interpreting and understanding those sounds. Effective communication requires listening, not just the physical act of hearing.

5. In survival situations, which of the following visual distress signals is explicitly acceptable for daylight use only?

  • A. Orange smoke signals
  • B. Rocket parachute flares
  • C. Handheld red flares
  • D. Red aerial stars
Answer: A — Orange smoke signals
Orange smoke signals provide high visibility against the blue sea during daylight. Because they are not luminous, they are ineffective at night, unlike parachute flares, which are designed for both day and night use.

6. If you observe a safety or pollution hazard during fuel transfer (bunkering) operations, what is your immediate first action?

  • A. Wait for the person in charge to act
  • B. Sound the fire alarm
  • C. Notify the ballast control operator
  • D. Shut down the transfer operation
Answer: D — Shut down the transfer operation
Safety is the highest priority during any transfer operation. If a hazard is spotted, the immediate, mandatory step is to stop the transfer flow to prevent the hazard from escalating into a spill or fire.

7. The signal "Pan-Pan" repeated over the radiotelephone indicates what type of message?

  • A. Safety
  • B. Urgency
  • C. Distress
  • D. All Clear
Answer: B — Urgency
The Pan-Pan signal is used to alert maritime authorities of an 'urgency' situation that does not rise to the level of immediate distress (Mayday). It indicates that the ship has a problem that requires urgent but not life-saving help.

8. In order to comply with safety policies and procedures, ship crew and officers must:

  • A. Focus on delivering ship and cargo at all costs
  • B. Minimize the use of alcohol on board
  • C. Stop unsafe practices which may cause accidents, injury, or environmental pollution
  • D. Focus only on commercial requirements
Answer: C — Stop unsafe practices which may cause accidents, injury, or environmental pollution
Safety policies require that all personnel actively stop unsafe practices. This is a core component of the safety management system, ensuring that risks are mitigated before they manifest as injury, damage, or pollution.

9. We use gestures in our non-verbal communication in order to convey a message and:

  • A. Impress ourselves
  • B. Suppress ourselves
  • C. Express ourselves
  • D. All of the above
Answer: C — Express ourselves
Gestures are a form of non-verbal communication that adds emphasis or clarity to a spoken message. They serve as an extension of one's thoughts, helping to express meaning more effectively to the listener.

10. If you tend to give lengthy explanations for simple things, your communication message lacks:

  • A. Conciseness
  • B. Correctness
  • C. All of the above
  • D. Consistency
Answer: A — Conciseness
Conciseness in communication means conveying the necessary information using the fewest words possible. Lengthy explanations often dilute the main point, leading to confusion and potential loss of critical information during an emergency.

11. Which of the following statements regarding primary battery cells used on board is correct?

  • A. Used primary cells can be fully recharged
  • B. Used primary cells must be discarded after use
  • C. None of the above
  • D. Used primary cells can be refilled and reused
Answer: B — Used primary cells must be discarded after use
Primary battery cells are non-rechargeable electrochemical units. Once their chemical potential is depleted, they cannot be restored through charging or refilling and must be disposed of according to the ship's waste management plan.

12. Most minor oil product spills occurring during shipboard operations are caused by:

  • A. Unforeseeable weather conditions
  • B. Equipment failure
  • C. Human error
  • D. Major casualties
Answer: C — Human error
Most minor spills result from human error—such as forgetting to close a valve or failing to monitor gauges—rather than catastrophic equipment failure. Vigilance and adherence to procedures are the best preventions against these spills.

13. Compared directly to standard crude oil tankers, chemical tankers are generally:

  • A. Capable of carrying only one grade of oil
  • B. As large as standard oil tankers
  • C. Less complex to operate
  • D. More complex to operate
Answer: D — More complex to operate
Chemical tankers carry specialized, hazardous liquid cargoes that require complex systems for temperature control, segregation, and tank cleaning. Consequently, their operation is significantly more complex than that of standard crude oil tankers.

14. Which code or document directly governs safe working procedures and routines at work on board a vessel?

  • A. ISM Code
  • B. Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP)
  • C. Occupational Health Act
  • D. STCW Code
Answer: B — Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP)
The Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP) is the definitive manual for safety procedures and routines for merchant seafarers. It provides the standardized, industry-accepted practices for working safely on deck and in machinery spaces.

15. What does the operational maritime acronym RADAR stand for?

  • A. Radio Direction and Ranging
  • B. Radio Detection and Ranging
  • C. Radium Direction and Ranging
  • D. Radio Distance and Ranging
Answer: B — Radio Detection and Ranging
RADAR is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. It uses radio waves to determine the bearing, range, and relative speed of objects, which is critical for navigation and collision avoidance at sea.

16. The problem of misunderstanding during operational training can be drastically eliminated by providing:

  • A. Physical material samples
  • B. Complex theory
  • C. Practical examples
  • D. None of the above
Answer: C — Practical examples
Practical examples bridge the gap between theory and application. By showing the crew how to handle equipment or procedures in real-world scenarios, the potential for misunderstanding is minimized through experiential learning.

17. When scuppers are plugged and an oil spill occurs on deck during fuel transfer, you should:

  • A. Use absorbent material such as sawdust or pads to clean up the spill
  • B. Remove scuppers and wash the fuel overboard with chemical solvents
  • C. Remove the plug from scuppers to allow it to run overboard
  • D. Sound the general emergency alarm immediately
Answer: A — Use absorbent material such as sawdust or pads to clean up the spill
Absorbent materials are the primary defense for containing a minor spill on deck. By preventing the oil from entering the scuppers, you stop the pollutant from entering the marine environment, which is the immediate priority.

18. How many total technical annexes does the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) contain?

  • A. Six
  • B. Eight
  • C. Three
  • D. Four
Answer: A — Six
MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) consists of six technical annexes, each addressing different forms of ship-generated pollution such as oil, chemicals, sewage, garbage, and air emissions.

19. In what ways can interpersonal relationships be improved among crew members on board?

  • A. All of the above
  • B. Mutually helping out others during intense workloads
  • C. Maintaining good communication lines
  • D. Developing empathy and understanding with each other
Answer: A — All of the above
Interpersonal relationships are strengthened by empathy, good communication, and teamwork. Fostering a supportive environment reduces social isolation and improves collective morale, which is vital for long-term crew cohesion.

20. Meteorological warning reports transmitted to the ship consist of one of the following:

  • A. Weather information or severe storm warnings
  • B. Vessel on fire or sinking tracking
  • C. Floating debris location
  • D. Iceberg movement information
Answer: A — Weather information or severe storm warnings
Meteorological warnings transmitted via GMDSS/radio provide crucial data about weather patterns and severe storms. This information allows the bridge team to alter course or prepare for heavy weather to ensure vessel safety.

21. What is the immediate first action to be taken when you encounter an emergency situation on board?

  • A. Try to fight the emergency completely on your own
  • B. Muster the crew in the designated area
  • C. Wait at your position for instructions
  • D. Sound the ship's emergency alarm
Answer: D — Sound the ship's emergency alarm
The ship's emergency alarm is the universal signal to notify the crew of a critical situation. It ensures that everyone is alerted immediately, allowing for a structured response and muster rather than disjointed, individual efforts.

22. Which logbook is explicitly used to record all mandatory and important radio safety/distress communications on board?

  • A. Garbage Record Book
  • B. Deck Log Book
  • C. Engine Log Book
  • D. GMDSS Log Book
Answer: D — GMDSS Log Book
The GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) logbook is the official record for all radio communications concerning safety and distress. It must be maintained as required by the SOLAS convention.

23. Which of the following jobs on board explicitly requires a Hot Work Permit before execution?

  • A. Mopping the accommodation deck
  • B. All of the above
  • C. Normal cooking operations in the galley
  • D. Gas cutting or welding operations on deck
Answer: D — Gas cutting or welding operations on deck
Hot work, such as welding or gas cutting, involves high-temperature sources capable of igniting vapors or materials. A permit-to-work system is mandatory to ensure all safety precautions are met before starting the work.

24. As per STCW 2010 regulations, what is the maximum validity period of a seafarer's medical fitness certificate?

  • A. 1 year
  • B. 2 years
  • C. 3 years
  • D. 4 years
Answer: B — 2 years
Under the STCW convention, a medical fitness certificate for seafarers is generally valid for a maximum period of two years. This ensures that the seafarer's health remains consistent with the physical demands of their duties.

25. Which is clinically considered the most frequently abused drug/substance globally across maritime and shore sectors?

  • A. Heroin
  • B. Opiates
  • C. Alcohol
  • D. Cocaine
Answer: C — Alcohol
Alcohol is the most prevalent substance of abuse globally and within the maritime industry. Its effect on cognitive performance and alertness makes it a significant hazard, leading to strict 'zero tolerance' policies on most vessels.

26. What are the common contributing causes of physical and mental fatigue among seafarers on board?

  • A. High emotional stress
  • B. Lack of continuous sleep
  • C. All of the above
  • D. Excessive occupational workload
Answer: C — All of the above
Fatigue in the maritime industry is multifactorial. Lack of sleep, high mental strain, and heavy workloads combined, create an environment where exhaustion becomes a significant risk factor for accidents.

27. In risk management and safety assessments on board, what does the acronym ALARP stand for?

  • A. All Living Areas and Recreation Places
  • B. None of the above
  • C. Alarm Points on Ships
  • D. As Low As Reasonably Practicable
Answer: D — As Low As Reasonably Practicable
ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) is a foundational principle in safety management. It requires that risks must be reduced until the cost of further reduction would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit gained.

28. Which of the following conditions is considered an immediate slip, trip, or safety hazard on board?

  • A. An unsecured load suspended high on a crane hook
  • B. Water accumulated on an internal staircase
  • C. None of the above
  • D. Both A and B are correct
Answer: D — Both A and B are correct
Accumulated water and unsecured heavy loads are immediate physical hazards. Slippery surfaces cause falls, while suspended loads pose a risk of crushing injuries, both of which are common triggers for maritime accidents.

29. Which organ of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) consists of representatives from all member states?

  • A. The Council
  • B. The Secretariat
  • C. The Legal Committee
  • D. The Assembly
Answer: D — The Assembly
The IMO Assembly is the highest governing body and consists of representatives from all member states. It meets biennially to approve the budget, work program, and elect the council members.

30. What is the parent international instrument or convention that makes the ISM Code mandatory for ships?

  • A. STCW Chapter VIII
  • B. SOLAS Chapter IX
  • C. Loadline Convention
  • D. MARPOL Chapter V
Answer: B — SOLAS Chapter IX
SOLAS Chapter IX (Management for the Safe Operation of Ships) mandates the implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which is crucial for standardizing safety culture across the global shipping industry.

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