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PSSR exit exam questions and answers — Set 3

Set 3 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 3 — 30 PSSR exit exam questions with answers

1. Under SOLAS and the FSS Code, what is the general requirement for fire detection and alarm system initialization?

  • A. Alarms must be visible only inside the engine workshop
  • B. Audible and visual alarms must initiate directly on the Navigation Bridge and Cargo Control Room (CCR)
  • C. Only a text notification to the Chief Engineer's cabin is required
  • D. Alarms should only sound in the galley area
Answer: B — Audible and visual alarms must initiate directly on the Navigation Bridge and Cargo Control Room (CCR)
SOLAS and FSS Code requirements stipulate that fire alarms must alert the bridge and the engine control room, as these locations are manned 24/7. This ensures immediate notification and response to any fire detection signal.

2. Liability and compensation for damage suffered by a passenger onboard a cruise or passenger vessel is governed by which convention?

  • A. Fund Convention
  • B. Athens Convention
  • C. Basel Convention
  • D. Civil Liability Convention (CLC)
Answer: B — Athens Convention
The Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea sets out the liability regime for cruise ship operators regarding death or injury of passengers during the voyage.

3. A muster list or emergency station list must be prominently displayed on any vessel operating with more than how many crew members?

  • A. 4 crew members
  • B. 3 crew members
  • C. 2 crew members
  • D. 5 crew members
Answer: A — 4 crew members
SOLAS regulations require the muster list to be posted in conspicuous places, including the bridge, engine room, and crew accommodation, for all vessels to ensure crew members are aware of their emergency duties.

4. A general emergency situation developing on board a merchant vessel could be caused by:

  • A. Total main engine failure
  • B. Severe fire or explosion
  • C. Hull breaching and flooding
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
A general emergency is defined by any event that compromises the safety of the vessel or crew. Fire, explosion, and hull damage are major critical emergencies requiring immediate mustering, while main engine failure can lead to loss of maneuverability in hazardous areas, all necessitating a coordinated response.

5. Shipboard contingency plans prepared for emergencies must identify hazards and systematically include:

  • A. Immediate actions to be taken to regain control of the situation
  • B. Communication methods within the ship and to outside authorities
  • C. Allocation of specific emergency duties and responsibilities
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
Effective emergency management relies on a structured approach as mandated by the ISM Code. Contingency plans must define roles to avoid confusion, outline immediate mitigation steps to prevent escalation, and provide clear communication protocols for internal coordination and external reporting (e.g., to the shore, MRCC).

6. Emergency drills must be held within how many hours of sailing if more than 25% of the ship's crew has changed at the last port?

  • A. 48 hours
  • B. 24 hours
  • C. 72 hours
  • D. 12 hours
Answer: B — 24 hours
SOLAS requirements state that if more than 25% of the crew has not participated in drills on that specific ship within the previous month, an abandon ship and fire drill must be held within 24 hours of the ship leaving port to ensure everyone is familiar with their duties.

7. Onboard safety familiarization for any newly joining seafarer must be conducted within:

  • A. 1 week of joining the vessel
  • B. 2 weeks of joining the vessel
  • C. The first month of the voyage
  • D. 24 hours of joining the vessel
Answer: D — 24 hours of joining the vessel
Safety familiarization is critical for ensuring that any crew member joining the ship can safely respond to emergencies. Per STCW and SOLAS regulations, this instruction must be provided to every seafarer before they are assigned any shipboard duties, which is legally defined as within 24 hours of joining.

8. As per SOLAS requirements, crew members must be fully trained in life-saving appliances (LSA) and firefighting equipment (FFE) as soon as possible, but not later than:

  • A. 1 month after joining
  • B. 2 weeks after joining
  • C. 1 week after joining
  • D. 24 hours after joining
Answer: B — 2 weeks after joining
SOLAS Ch III Regulation 6 dictates that all crew members must receive instruction on the use of life-saving appliances and firefighting equipment. This training must be completed as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after a crew member joins the vessel.

9. To comply with performance standards, manufactured lifebuoys are subjected to which type of testing?

  • A. Flotation capability test
  • B. Direct fire test
  • C. Height drop test
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
To ensure they survive the harsh marine environment, lifebuoys must meet rigorous standards under the LSA Code. This includes drop tests from the required height, fire testing to ensure self-extinguishing properties, and flotation tests to confirm they can support a person in the water for extended periods.

10. The correct operation and use of shipboard life-saving appliances must be demonstrated to crew members not later than:

  • A. 2 weeks
  • B. 24 hours
  • C. 1 week
  • D. 3 weeks
Answer: A — 2 weeks
Regulation 6 of SOLAS Chapter III mandates that the training of crew members in the correct operation and use of LSA and FFE must be demonstrated. This familiarization and training must be completed within two weeks of joining the vessel to ensure readiness for any emergency.

11. A continuous, uninterrupted ringing of the ship’s alarm bells indicates which specific emergency?

  • A. Machinery Space Flooding
  • B. Man Overboard
  • C. General Emergency / Abandon Ship
  • D. Fire Emergency
Answer: D — Fire Emergency
In accordance with standard Muster List requirements, a continuous, uninterrupted sounding of the ship’s alarm or siren is the designated signal for fire emergency, alerting the crew to take pre-planned stations for firefighting duties as specified in the muster list.

12. The standard General Emergency Alarm signal consists of:

  • A. Continuous ringing of the bell for 10 minutes
  • B. One long blast followed by one short blast
  • C. Three short blasts repeated periodically
  • D. Seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast on the ship's whistle/horn
Answer: D — Seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast on the ship's whistle/horn
The General Emergency Alarm (GEA) is standardized to prevent confusion during crises. It consists of at least seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast on the ship’s whistle/siren and the same signal on the alarm bells, as required by the LSA Code.

13. What is the internationally recognized sound signal for a Man Overboard (MOB) emergency?

  • A. Seven short blasts
  • B. Continuous short rings on the bell
  • C. Two prolonged blasts on the horn
  • D. Three long blasts on the ship's whistle
Answer: D — Three long blasts on the ship's whistle
The Man Overboard (MOB) signal is three long blasts on the ship's whistle or horn (the Morse signal for the letter 'O'), which alerts the bridge and crew to an emergency where immediate maneuvering is required to rescue a person from the sea.

14. What should you do immediately if you witness a crew member fall completely overboard into the sea?

  • A. Release the nearest lifebuoy immediately on the side the person has fallen
  • B. Shout down to the engine room to stop the engines
  • C. Run to the bridge to inform the captain first
  • D. Look for a throwing line in the deck locker
Answer: A — Release the nearest lifebuoy immediately on the side the person has fallen
When a person falls overboard, the immediate priority is to mark their position and aid their buoyancy. Releasing the lifebuoy (which usually features a smoke signal and light) provides a visual reference for the bridge and a life-saving aid for the survivor.

15. Which of the following is a recognized vessel maneuvering pattern used specifically to return a ship back to its original path to rescue a man overboard?

  • A. Williamson turn
  • B. Scharnow turn
  • C. U-turn
  • D. Round turn
Answer: A — Williamson turn
The Williamson turn is the standard maneuver used when the target is not in sight or significant time has elapsed since the fall, as it brings the vessel back to the exact location on a reciprocal course, accounting for the ship's turning circle.

16. According to safety regulations, which of the following is NOT strictly required to be part of the general onboard instructions for routine LSA maintenance?

  • A. Checklist for periodic safety inspections
  • B. Operating instructions for survival craft
  • C. Lubrication requirements for davits
  • D. Detailed tool lists for overhauling engines
Answer: A — Checklist for periodic safety inspections
While LSA maintenance instructions (e.g., lubrication and periodic inspection checklists) are mandatory under SOLAS, a detailed tool list for overhauling ship engines is not a specific requirement of the LSA maintenance documentation; it belongs to the Planned Maintenance System (PMS).

17. The international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency channel on a standard Marine VHF radio is:

  • A. Channel 13
  • B. Channel 16
  • C. Channel 06
  • D. Channel 70
Answer: B — Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 is the internationally designated channel for distress, safety, and calling, continuously monitored by ships and coastal stations to ensure immediate response to emergencies at sea under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

18. Regulations state that lifeboats and rescue boats must be fully launched into the water and operated at least once every:

  • A. 2 months
  • B. 6 months
  • C. 3 months
  • D. 1 month
Answer: C — 3 months
To ensure the mechanical readiness of survival craft and the proficiency of the crew, SOLAS requires that every lifeboat and rescue boat be launched into the water and maneuvered at least once every three months.

19. A formal Safety Committee Meeting consisting of department heads and crew representatives must be held on board at least:

  • A. Every two months
  • B. Every month
  • C. Once per voyage
  • D. Every week
Answer: B — Every month
Safety Committee Meetings are formal requirements intended to discuss hazards, near-misses, and safety compliance. To maintain a proactive safety culture, the Code of Safe Working Practices and ISM guidelines require these meetings to be held at least monthly.

20. Shipboard waste management and the operational dumping of garbage or refuse at sea is strictly controlled by which international convention?

  • A. STCW 95
  • B. Load Line 1966
  • C. MARPOL 73/78
  • D. SOLAS 74
Answer: C — MARPOL 73/78
MARPOL 73/78 (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is the primary framework regulating the discharge of garbage, oil, sewage, and harmful substances, with Annex V specifically addressing the discharge of shipboard garbage.

21. Under MARPOL Annex I, a "Special Area" is geographically defined as an ocean space where:

  • A. Fishing activities are permanently prohibited
  • B. Only military vessels are allowed to discharge bilge water
  • C. No navigation is permitted at any time
  • D. Special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil are adopted due to oceanographic conditions
Answer: D — Special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil are adopted due to oceanographic conditions
A 'Special Area' under MARPOL is a sea area where, due to recognized technical reasons, oceanographic and ecological conditions, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution is required to protect the marine environment.

22. Under MARPOL Annex I regulations, a "Combination Carrier" type vessel is defined as a ship designed to carry:

  • A. Containers and heavy machinery on deck simultaneously
  • B. Either oil or solid bulk cargoes in its cargo spaces
  • C. Liquefied gases and chemical compounds in independent tanks
  • D. General break-bulk cargo and passengers together
Answer: B — Either oil or solid bulk cargoes in its cargo spaces
A combination carrier (such as an OBO - Ore-Bulk-Oil carrier) is a vessel specifically designed to be flexible, allowing it to carry either liquid cargoes like oil or solid bulk cargoes like ore in the same cargo spaces, depending on operational needs.

23. MARPOL Annex II contains regulations specifically for controlling pollution from which substances carried in bulk?

  • A. Refined petroleum products
  • B. Harmful substances in packaged forms
  • C. Raw domestic sewage
  • D. Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS)
Answer: D — Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS)
MARPOL Annex II governs the control of pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS) carried in bulk. It classifies substances based on their hazard to the marine environment and mandates strict procedures for tank washing and discharge.

24. Which specific type of shipboard pollution or hazardous substance does MARPOL Annex III deal with?

  • A. Heavy fuel oil sludge from purifiers
  • B. Harmful substances carried at sea in packaged form
  • C. Exhaust gas emissions from main engines
  • D. Raw sewage generated from accommodations
Answer: B — Harmful substances carried at sea in packaged form
MARPOL Annex III contains regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, including containers, portable tanks, or road/rail tank wagons, focusing on identification and proper stowage.

25. MARPOL Annex IV deals with shipboard sewage. How do current international regulations affect everyday processing and treatment systems?

  • A. Discharge is completely unregulated globally
  • B. Treatment plants are only required on tugboats
  • C. Regulations are not yet universally enforced by every minor state, but many countries have adopted strict, stringent domestic rules for territorial waters
  • D. Sewage can be freely dumped inside ports anywhere
Answer: C — Regulations are not yet universally enforced by every minor state, but many countries have adopted strict, stringent domestic rules for territorial waters
While international sewage regulations (Annex IV) have become stricter, global enforcement remains dependent on national adoption and port state requirements. Many jurisdictions impose additional stringent regulations within their territorial waters for sewage treatment and discharge.

26. Under MARPOL Annex I, crude oil tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight (DWT) and above delivered after June 1, 1982, must be fitted with a tank cleaning system known as:

  • A. High-Pressure Steam Scubbing (HPSS)
  • B. Crude Oil Washing (COW)
  • C. Water Washing (WW)
  • D. Chemical Solvent Flushes (CSF)
Answer: B — Crude Oil Washing (COW)
Crude Oil Washing (COW) is a system of cleaning cargo tanks by using the crude oil cargo itself through fixed tank cleaning machines, which helps prevent sludge build-up and reduces the amount of oily waste generated.

27. Which of the following precautions must be strictly observed when taking on diesel fuel during bunkering?

  • A. Keep all accommodation doors wide open
  • B. Speed up the transfer rate to maximum right at the start
  • C. Prohibit smoking and open flames in the operational area
  • D. Keep deck lighting completely switched off
Answer: C — Prohibit smoking and open flames in the operational area
Bunkering is a high-risk operation. Prohibiting smoking and open flames is a fundamental safety precaution to prevent the ignition of flammable fuel vapors, which can be present during the transfer of petroleum products.

28. Onboard incineration of which plastic compound material is strictly prohibited unless processed in a type-approved high-temperature shipboard incinerator?

  • A. Low-density polyethylene
  • B. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • C. High-density polystyrene
  • D. Natural rubber compounds
Answer: B — Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) releases harmful dioxins and other toxins when burned. MARPOL Annex V prohibits the incineration of plastics containing toxic or heavy metal residues unless processed in specific high-temperature equipment designed to handle them safely.

29. To prevent biological cross-contamination, ballast water exchange maneuvers should be carried out in ocean waters with a depth of at least:

  • A. 100 meters
  • B. 500 meters
  • C. 50 meters
  • D. 200 meters
Answer: D — 200 meters
To minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, IMO ballast water management guidelines recommend performing ballast water exchange in deep ocean waters, specifically at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 meters deep.

30. Which of the following is true regarding the maintenance and logging of the Oil Record Book Part II?

  • A. It maintains comprehensive details of oil cargo loading and unloading operations
  • B. It must be maintained specifically by oil tankers in addition to Part I
  • C. All of the above
  • D. It must be safely retained on board the vessel for at least three years from the last entry
Answer: C — All of the above
The Oil Record Book Part II is mandatory for oil tankers to track all cargo and ballast operations involving oil. It must be maintained accurately and kept on board for three years, as it is subject to inspection by port state control.

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