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PST exit exam questions and answers — Set 4

Set 4 of the Personal Survival Techniques (PST) exit exam bank — 30 of 268 questions, with the correct option marked, and 29 of them also carry a one-line explanation. 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 4 — 30 PST exit exam questions with answers

1. All self-propelled vessels on an international voyage must be equipped with how many emergency position indicating radio beacons?

  • A. One approved category 1 EPIRB
  • B. One category 2 EPIRB
  • C. None
  • D. Two approved category 1 EPIRBs
Answer: A — One approved category 1 EPIRB
All self-propelled vessels on international voyages are required to carry one approved category 1 EPIRB, which is designed to float free from the ship and activate automatically if the vessel sinks.

2. Which position is shown by an EPIRB?

  • A. Dead reckoning position
  • B. Estimate position
  • C. Estimated time of arrival
  • D. Real time position
Answer: D — Real time position
Modern EPIRBs (406 MHz) typically include an integrated GPS receiver, which provides the precise real-time position of the vessel in distress to the rescue coordination center.

3. A VHF EPIRB is designed to be used in which GMDSS sea area?

  • A. Area A3
  • B. Area A2
  • C. Area A4
  • D. Area A1
Answer: D — Area A1

4. The battery used in EPIRBs, SARTs, and portable VHF radios is a:

  • A. 6V Alkaline battery
  • B. 12V Lead-acid battery
  • C. 12V Ni-Cad battery
  • D. 12V Primary lithium battery
Answer: D — 12V Primary lithium battery
Primary lithium batteries are used in GMDSS survival equipment because they provide a high energy density, long shelf life, and stable voltage output in extreme temperatures, which is essential for emergency gear.

5. The capacity of a lithium battery should be enough to last for how long when activated?

  • A. 96 Hours
  • B. 24 Hours
  • C. 72 Hours
  • D. 48 Hours
Answer: D — 48 Hours
SOLAS requires that survival craft batteries for GMDSS equipment (like portable VHF) must have sufficient capacity to operate for at least 48 hours to ensure communication during extended rescue operations.

6. The shelf life of a standard GMDSS survival craft battery is:

  • A. 1 to 2 years
  • B. 6 months
  • C. 3 to 5 years
  • D. 10 years
Answer: C — 3 to 5 years
Standard GMDSS survival craft batteries are designed to maintain their chemical integrity for 3 to 5 years. Regular replacement is required to ensure they meet operational standards during an actual emergency.

7. Batteries used specifically for an EPIRB have a very long shelf life of:

  • A. 1 year
  • B. 5 years or more
  • C. 2 years
  • D. 3 years
Answer: B — 5 years or more
EPIRB batteries are specialized high-capacity lithium units engineered for reliability. Their rigorous manufacturing and testing standards allow them to have a shelf life of 5 years or more.

8. Each EPIRB shall be tested using the integrated test circuit and output indicator every:

  • A. Week
  • B. Six months
  • C. Month
  • D. Year
Answer: C — Month
To ensure functionality without exhausting the battery or causing false alerts, EPIRBs are tested monthly using their internal built-in test (BITE) circuit and an output indicator, as prescribed by maintenance schedules.

9. An EPIRB signal is designed to be received ultimately by the:

  • A. Coast Guard station only
  • B. RCC / MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center)
  • C. Passing aircraft only
  • D. Ship's agent
Answer: B — RCC / MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center)
The EPIRB signal is processed by the COSPAS-SARSAT system and routed to the nearest Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC), which coordinates the search and rescue efforts.

10. The time delay in detection and relaying of an EPIRB transmission in global mode can be up to:

  • A. 30 minutes
  • B. 2 hours
  • C. 1 hour
  • D. 4 hours
Answer: B — 2 hours
While satellite processing is fast, the orbit of polar-orbiting satellites can result in a time delay. Under optimal conditions, this can be up to 2 hours before the signal is relayed to an MRCC.

11. Your Master ensures that the EPIRB is:

  • A. Serviced every 6 months
  • B. Tested weekly
  • C. Tested monthly
  • D. Tested yearly
Answer: C — Tested monthly
The Master ensures compliance with maintenance requirements by scheduling the monthly internal self-test of the EPIRB, which verifies that the battery, circuitry, and transmitter are operational.

12. HRU stands for:

  • A. Hydraulic Release Unit
  • B. Hydrostatic Release Unit
  • C. Hydrostatic Rescue Utility
  • D. High Rescue Unit
Answer: B — Hydrostatic Release Unit
HRU stands for Hydrostatic Release Unit, a device designed to release liferafts and EPIRBs automatically when a ship sinks to a specific depth, usually between 1.5 and 4 meters.

13. What does the standard IMO symbol with concentric circles and a mini radar indicator mean?

  • A. EPIRB
  • B. Two-way VHF
  • C. Radar reflector
  • D. SART
Answer: D — SART
The IMO symbol with concentric circles and a mini radar indicator is the international identifier for a SART, marking its location so survivors can easily find it during an emergency.

14. How can a SART's detection range be increased?

  • A. By wrapping it in cloth
  • B. It should be held as high as possible
  • C. By turning it off horizontally
  • D. By placing it inside the water
Answer: B — It should be held as high as possible
A SART's detection range is limited by the curvature of the earth and the height of the radar antenna. Holding the SART as high as possible increases the line-of-sight range for searching vessels or aircraft.

15. In the search and rescue radar transponder (SART), how is this device activated?

  • A. Via satellite signal
  • B. Automatically when submerged
  • C. It is carried into the survival craft and switched on by the occupants
  • D. Remotely from the bridge
Answer: C — It is carried into the survival craft and switched on by the occupants
A SART is a portable device that must be manually removed from its stowage by crew members when abandoning ship and activated by the occupants in the survival craft.

16. How long must a SART operate in standby mode?

  • A. 5 days
  • B. 24 hours
  • C. 96 hours
  • D. 48 hours
Answer: C — 96 hours
A SART must have enough battery capacity to operate in standby mode for 96 hours, ensuring it remains ready to respond to interrogating radar signals for the duration of a search.

17. A SART works on which radar frequency band?

  • A. band
  • B. X-band
  • C. Ka-band
  • D. S-band
Answer: B — X-band
SARTs operate on the X-band (9 GHz) frequency, as this is the standard frequency used by marine radar systems to detect navigation hazards and objects like lifeboats.

18. What is the precise frequency and wavelength at which a SART operates?

  • A. 156.8 MHz
  • B. 3 GHz, 10 cm (S-band)
  • C. 406 MHz
  • D. 9 GHz, 3 cm (X-band)
Answer: D — 9 GHz, 3 cm (X-band)
SARTs operate at the 9 GHz frequency, which corresponds to a wavelength of approximately 3 cm. This matches the standard marine navigation radar, allowing the SART to appear as a series of dots on the radar screen.

19. How many radar transponders (SARTs) are required to be carried on board ships for use in survival crafts?

  • A. Two (or one on each side of the ship)
  • B. Three
  • C. One only
  • D. Four
Answer: A — Two (or one on each side of the ship)
SOLAS requirements state that ships must carry at least two SARTs (or one on each side) to ensure reliable detection from any direction and redundancy in case one device fails.

20. Which of the following is considered a distress signal on deck?

  • A. Flag NC
  • B. Open fire
  • C. Pyrotechnics
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
All listed items—pyrotechnics (flares), fire (on deck), and the display of international code flags (like flag NC)—are recognized international distress signals under COLREGs and other maritime safety protocols.

21. Your vessel has been in a collision with another vessel. You are taking in water and you have to prepare for leaving the vessel. How will you act?

  • A. Wait on deck without any equipment
  • B. Drop anchor and hide in your cabin
  • C. Send a distress message and collect survival suits and thermal bags
  • D. Immediately jump overboard
Answer: C — Send a distress message and collect survival suits and thermal bags
Upon collision, the priority is to communicate the situation to ensure rescue can be initiated. Gathering survival suits and thermal protection is vital for maintaining body temperature in case abandonment becomes necessary.

22. Your vessel has been in a collision and you are not sure if your vessel is sinking or not. How will you handle this situation?

  • A. Turn off all alarms to prevent panic
  • B. Search for missing persons, continue to monitor the situation, and prepare for abandonment in case it becomes necessary
  • C. Disregard the collision and continue steaming
  • D. Order immediate abandonment without checking
Answer: B — Search for missing persons, continue to monitor the situation, and prepare for abandonment in case it becomes necessary
Immediate, uncoordinated abandonment is dangerous. The crew must search for casualties and monitor vessel stability to make an informed decision, ensuring the ship is truly beyond saving before departing.

23. An alarm signal consisting of seven short blasts followed by one prolonged blast is sounded by the ship's whistle and alarm bells. What are you to do?

  • A. Proceed to the engine room workshop
  • B. Remain in your bunk
  • C. Go to your lifeboat/muster station
  • D. Go to the galley for food
Answer: C — Go to your lifeboat/muster station
The signal of seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast on the whistle and alarm bells is the mandatory general emergency alarm, requiring all crew to report to their assigned muster stations.

24. Your vessel is a tanker in ballast and the two vessels are interlocked after a collision. After ensuring all people are well taken care of, you try to separate the two vessels. What should be your greatest concern?

  • A. Missing the next port schedule
  • B. Losing your anchor
  • C. Damaging the ship's paint
  • D. That the separation may cause sparks that can possibly ignite the oil or any other flammable substances
Answer: D — That the separation may cause sparks that can possibly ignite the oil or any other flammable substances
When separating vessels, friction can generate sparks or heat. On a tanker, this poses an extreme risk of igniting flammable vapors, which could lead to an explosion or fire, making safety precautions paramount.

25. Which one of the given requirements regarding the manning and supervision of survival craft corresponds to Solas regulations?

  • A. Any crew member can command a survival craft
  • B. Lifeboats don't require any assigned person-in-charge
  • C. Only the Chief Cook can manage survival craft
  • D. deck officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge of each survival craft to be used
Answer: D — deck officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge of each survival craft to be used
SOLAS Chapter III stipulates that for every survival craft, a certificated person or deck officer must be placed in charge to ensure orderly launching, navigation, and coordination of the survivors.

26. Where do you find the minimum drill requirements for merchant vessels?

  • A. In the ISPS code
  • B. In the Solas convention
  • C. In the MARPOL convention
  • D. In the STCW convention
Answer: B — In the Solas convention
SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) mandates minimum requirements for safety drills, including lifeboat, fire, and abandonment drills, to ensure crew readiness.

27. What is most important when preparing for shipboard emergencies?

  • A. Having a high speed engine
  • B. Having a clean uniform
  • C. That people are well trained
  • D. Having the best food on board
Answer: C — That people are well trained
The effectiveness of emergency response is entirely dependent on the proficiency and training of the crew. Well-trained personnel can react calmly and execute complex procedures even under high-stress conditions.

28. When should abandonment of a ship be undertaken?

  • A. When the ship runs out of fresh water
  • B. As a last resort on orders from the Master
  • C. As soon as a minor fire starts
  • D. At any time individual crew members feel like it
Answer: B — As a last resort on orders from the Master
Abandonment is a critical, life-threatening procedure. It must only be done as a last resort, after the Master has evaluated that the ship is no longer safe to stay aboard and has officially given the order.

29. Posters or signs shall be provided on or in the vicinity of survival craft and their launching controls. Which of the following details does NOT explicitly need to be displayed according to this specific regulation?

  • A. Illustrate the purpose of controls and procedures for launching
  • B. Give recommendations for survival
  • C. Give warning notices
  • D. Give information on survival craft capacity
Answer: D — Give information on survival craft capacity
While capacity is vital, the specific regulation regarding posters in the vicinity of launching controls focuses on operational instructions, safety warnings, and survival recommendations, rather than the specific capacity of the craft.

30. In an emergency situation, is it a good idea to jump overboard and swim towards a launched lifeboat?

  • A. Yes, always jump with your shoes off
  • B. As a general rule, don't jump into the sea
  • C. Jump only if the water is warm
  • D. Yes, it is the quickest option
Answer: B — As a general rule, don't jump into the sea
Jumping into the sea poses risks of injury, hypothermia, and separation. The general rule is to enter the water carefully and only when necessary, as abandoning the vessel via controlled launching is always preferred.

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