STSDSD exit exam questions and answers — Set 15 — Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties
Set 15 of the Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) exit exam bank — 30 of 481 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 15 — 30 STSDSD exit exam questions with answers
1. Keeping communication channels open with task forces and coordination authorities during an attack is important because:
- A. It is needed to claim insurance
- B. It allows them to update the situation periodically and plan assistance
- C. It satisfies COLREG requirements
- D. It allows pirates to locate the citadel
2. Should the crew of a merchant ship use force against armed pirates who have already boarded?
- A. Yes; crew should always fight to defend the cargo
- B. No; crew should avoid confrontation and retreat to safety, as resistance can lead to injury or death
- C. Yes; but only with the ship's distress flares
- D. Only if the cargo is valuable
3. What information should be ready for the initial report to UKMTO or MDAT-GoG if attacked?
- A. Ship's name, position, course, speed, nature of the attack and number and description of craft
- B. Cargo freight rate
- C. Crew wage details
- D. Last port's bunker price
4. After an attack has been repelled, the ship should:
- A. Delete CCTV records to save space
- B. Disclose the citadel location publicly
- C. Resume normal routine without reporting
- D. Send a follow-up report, preserve evidence and complete the post-incident report
5. Which factor most increases the time pirates need to gain control of a ship?
- A. Leaving the steering gear room open
- B. Securing all access points to the accommodation, bridge and machinery spaces
- C. Keeping only the lifeboats lowered
- D. Removing deck lighting
6. The Ship Security Plan's contingency measures for a pirate attack should be consistent with:
- A. Local fishing regulations
- B. Only the charterer's instructions
- C. Current BMP guidance and company procedures for the trading area
- D. The ship's stability booklet
7. If pirates are seen preparing to fire on the ship, crew members on deck should:
- A. Lower the gangway
- B. Stand at the rail to watch the attackers
- C. Move immediately to protected positions inside the accommodation
- D. Wave flags to signal compliance
8. 'There are no dead heroes' is a principle in hostage situations which means:
- A. Try to escape alone at night
- B. Comply with the pirates' orders and avoid resistance, as survival is the priority
- C. Fight the captors at the first opportunity
- D. Refuse food until released
9. In the immediate phase after being taken hostage, the most common personal reactions are:
- A. Immediate long-term depression only
- B. Complete indifference
- C. Shock, disbelief, fear and numbness
- D. Relief and happiness
10. When held hostage by pirates, a seafarer should avoid:
- A. Eating and drinking what is provided
- B. Asking permission before moving
- C. Keeping a daily routine
- D. Arguing with, insulting or making sudden movements towards the captors
11. Which of the following helps a hostage cope with long-term captivity?
- A. Keeping a daily routine, exercising, maintaining hygiene and supporting fellow crew
- B. Constantly challenging the captors' authority
- C. Refusing all food in protest
- D. Isolating oneself from other hostages
12. The 'Stockholm syndrome' sometimes seen in hostages refers to:
- A. Hostages trying to escape repeatedly
- B. A medical condition caused by cold weather
- C. Hostages developing positive feelings or sympathy towards their captors
- D. Captors releasing hostages early
13. If a rescue operation by armed forces takes place while you are held hostage, you should:
- A. Run towards the rescuers
- B. Pick up a weapon to help
- C. Hide behind a pirate
- D. Lie flat on the floor, keep hands visible and follow the rescuers' instructions
14. Pirates sometimes stage mock executions or threats to provoke hostages. The recommended way to cope is to:
- A. Beg the pirates loudly for mercy
- B. Stay as calm as possible, avoid reacting aggressively and rely on fellow crew for support
- C. Try to seize the pirate's weapon
- D. Retaliate to show strength
15. When held hostage, why should crew avoid discussing the shipowner's finances or their own wealth with the pirates?
- A. It will shorten captivity
- B. Pirates are not interested in money
- C. Such information could be used to raise the ransom demand or target individuals
- D. It is against the ISPS Code to talk to pirates
16. Pirates may force hostages to telephone their families or the company. The hostage should:
- A. Reveal the naval forces' positions
- B. Follow the instructions, stay calm and avoid giving information that could compromise others
- C. Give the pirates the company's bank details
- D. Refuse and resist the order
17. Which statement about personal reactions in captivity is correct?
- A. Reactions such as anger, guilt, depression or anxiety are normal and may change over time
- B. Reactions occur only after release
- C. Only weak people react emotionally
- D. All crew react in exactly the same way
18. If a hostage is sick or injured during captivity, the best course of action is to:
- A. Attempt to leave the ship to seek help
- B. Stop eating
- C. Calmly inform the captors and request medical care or medicines through them
- D. Hide the injury
19. Senior officers in a hostage situation can best support the crew by:
- A. Maintaining discipline, morale and cohesion, and acting as calm intermediaries with the pirates
- B. Negotiating the ransom amount
- C. Encouraging individuals to escape
- D. Leaving each crew member to cope alone
20. When pirates order hostages to perform tasks such as operating the ship, the crew should:
- A. Pretend not to understand
- B. Comply with the orders while avoiding unnecessary risks
- C. Deliberately damage equipment
- D. Refuse all work
21. Which of the following is a recommended mental coping technique during long captivity?
- A. Avoiding all communication with others
- B. Counting the pirates' weapons openly
- C. Constantly thinking about worst-case outcomes
- D. Focusing on things within one's control, keeping hope and planning for life after release
22. During captivity, hostages should accept food and water offered by captors because:
- A. It obliges the pirates to release them
- B. It shortens negotiations
- C. Refusing is required by law
- D. Maintaining physical strength and health is vital for survival
23. Why might pirates move hostages ashore or separate them from the ship?
- A. To hand them over to naval forces
- B. To increase pressure in negotiations and make rescue more difficult
- C. To carry out repairs
- D. To provide them better accommodation
24. A hostage who observes details about the captors, such as appearance and number of weapons, should:
- A. Photograph them with a mobile phone
- B. Ask the pirates for their names and addresses
- C. Openly write notes in front of pirates
- D. Discreetly remember them for later debriefing without being seen to observe
25. Pirates may use hostages as 'human shields'. This means:
- A. Assigning hostages to watchkeeping only
- B. Locking hostages in the citadel
- C. Releasing hostages to the navy
- D. Placing hostages where they deter attack or rescue by naval forces
26. Which phrase best describes the short-term period after the immediate crisis of being taken hostage?
- A. Instant release
- B. Retirement from sea
- C. Adjustment to captivity, with fluctuating emotions, uncertainty and fatigue
- D. Complete recovery
27. If hostages are allowed limited communication with the outside world, they should:
- A. Reveal naval movements
- B. Exaggerate their condition to speed release
- C. Make promises about ransom amounts
- D. Give accurate information on their health and keep messages calm and reassuring
28. When pirates are under the influence of drugs such as khat, hostages should be especially careful because:
- A. It means release is imminent
- B. The pirates will fall asleep and allow escape
- C. It has no effect on behaviour
- D. The captors' behaviour may become unpredictable and aggressive
29. A religious or cultural difference between hostages and captors should be handled by:
- A. Debating beliefs with the captors
- B. Avoiding discussion of religion and politics, and respecting the captors' customs
- C. Refusing to work with them
- D. Mocking their customs
30. After a long period in captivity, a hostage group's best protection against despair is:
- A. Mutual support, shared routines and maintaining hope of release
- B. Planning a violent escape
- C. Breaking into individual factions
- D. Ignoring the welfare of others
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