STSDSD exit exam questions and answers — Set 2
Set 2 of the Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) exit exam bank — 30 of 154 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 STSDSD exit exam questions with answers
1. Who is responsible for the regular security inspections of the ship?
- A. Company Security Officer (CSO)
- B. Ship Security Officer (SSO)
- C. The Chief Engineer
- D. Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO)
Answer: B — Ship Security Officer (SSO)
The Ship Security Officer (SSO), as defined by the ISPS Code, is directly responsible for the security of the ship. This includes conducting regular security inspections of the ship, ensuring the implementation and maintenance of the Ship Security Plan (SSP), and overseeing the training of shipboard personnel.
2. Which of the following is considered an assessment tool?
- A. Fuel oil consumption log
- B. Cargo manifest list
- C. Open deck arrangement including the height of the deck above water
- D. Official Log Book entries
Answer: C — Open deck arrangement including the height of the deck above water
In the context of a Ship Security Assessment (SSA), understanding the ship's physical layout, such as open deck arrangements and deck height, is crucial. This information helps identify potential vulnerabilities for unauthorized access (e.g., from small boats) and aids in developing effective countermeasures as part of the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
3. Before hiding in the safe house or Citadel, we shall:
- A. Turn on all deck floodlights
- B. Keep the main engine on standby
- C. Increase ventilation to the maximum
- D. Stop and immobilize the main engine
Answer: D — Stop and immobilize the main engine
When retreating to a Citadel or safe house during a pirate attack, immobilizing the main engine is a critical defensive measure. This prevents the attackers from taking control of the ship's propulsion and navigating it to a different location, thus complicating their objective and aiding in potential rescue operations.
4. To ensure shipboard personnel are ready to deal with different security situations, what should you carry out?
- A. Theoretical lectures only
- B. Maintenance check sheets
- C. Drills and exercises
- D. Tabletop reviews exclusively
Answer: C — Drills and exercises
As mandated by the ISPS Code and STCW Convention, regular security drills and exercises are essential to ensure shipboard personnel are competent and prepared to respond effectively to various security threats. They provide practical experience, reinforce theoretical knowledge, and test the efficacy of the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
5. A security drill can be conducted in:
- A. Only under the supervision of a Port State surveyor
- B. Combination with other exercises such as emergency response exercises
- C. Isolation without any crew involvement
- D. Only when the vessel is drydocked
Answer: B — Combination with other exercises such as emergency response exercises
Security drills, as per ISPS Code guidelines, can often be combined with other mandatory drills, such as fire or abandon ship exercises, provided that the security aspects are adequately addressed. This integrated approach optimizes training time and enhances crew readiness for complex emergency scenarios.
6. What can be a possible smuggling mode on a ship?
- A. Via the automated ballast system
- B. Through the main engine exhaust trunk
- C. Via satellite communication links
- D. By the routine suppliers
Answer: D — By the routine suppliers
Routine suppliers, such as those delivering stores, provisions, or spare parts, present a significant vulnerability for smuggling on board ships. Without stringent access control and thorough checks of all incoming goods, contraband can easily be introduced onto the vessel, circumventing security measures.
7. The RSO (Recognized Security Organization) can carry out which of the following for a company or port?
- A. Commercial cargo custom checks
- B. Crew medical clearance
- C. Ship Security Assessment (SSA)
- D. Approving the permanent flag changes
Answer: C — Ship Security Assessment (SSA)
A Recognized Security Organization (RSO) is authorized by a Contracting Government to conduct Ship Security Assessments (SSA) and review and approve Ship Security Plans (SSP) on its behalf, as per the ISPS Code. RSOs play a crucial role in ensuring compliance and enhancing maritime security.
8. Which of the below spaces on deck and machinery spaces are most vulnerable for smuggling of drugs and contrabands?
- A. Purifier room workbench
- B. Main steering flat floor
- C. Equipment box
- D. Generator platform railings
Answer: C — Equipment box
Equipment boxes and other storage containers on deck or in machinery spaces are highly vulnerable for smuggling drugs and contraband due to their potential for concealment and relatively easy access. Regular and thorough security searches, as part of the Ship Security Plan (SSP), must target such areas.
9. Who appoints the PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer) for a port?
- A. Government
- B. Classification Society
- C. Shipping Company
- D. The Ship Master
Answer: A — Government
The Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) is a crucial role under the ISPS Code, responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP). PFSOs are appointed by the relevant Contracting Government or the designated authority for the port facility.
10. Which of the following spaces in the Galley and dry stores are *least* vulnerable for smuggling of drugs and contrabands?
- A. Under dry store floorboards
- B. In the galley first aid box
- C. Inside bulk flour bins
- D. Behind walk-in freezer panels
Answer: B — In the galley first aid box
The galley first aid box is generally the least vulnerable among the options for smuggling large quantities of drugs or contraband. While not immune, its small size and frequent use for medical items make it less practical for clandestine storage compared to hidden compartments in bulk stores or behind panels.
11. The SCSA (Ship Security Assessment) report shall consist of the following:
- A. description of countermeasures that could be used to address vulnerability
- B. Full machinery maintenance layout
- C. Crew wage scales and financial portfolios
- D. Commercial routing preferences
Answer: A — description of countermeasures that could be used to address vulnerability
The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) report, mandated by the ISPS Code, identifies vulnerabilities and outlines potential countermeasures. It includes an on-scene survey, an analysis of threats and vulnerabilities, and a description of protective measures, personnel, procedures, and equipment that could mitigate identified risks.
12. A DoS (Declaration of Security) is required when:
- A. The ship is entering a dry dock area
- B. crew member changes their contract status
- C. Bunkering operation is completed safely
- D. When port and ship are not on the same security level
Answer: D — When port and ship are not on the same security level
A Declaration of Security (DoS) is typically required under the ISPS Code when a ship is interfacing with a port facility or another ship, and one party is at a higher security level than the other. It ensures that appropriate security measures are agreed upon and maintained to address the heightened risk.
13. Who is responsible for the submission of the Ship Security Plan (SSP) for approval?
- A. Company Security Officer (CSO)
- B. Port Facility Security Officer
- C. Master of the Vessel
- D. Ship Security Officer (SSO)
Answer: A — Company Security Officer (CSO)
The Company Security Officer (CSO), appointed by the shipping company, is responsible for ensuring that a Ship Security Assessment (SSA) is carried out and that a Ship Security Plan (SSP) is developed, submitted for approval to the Flag State or RSO, and subsequently implemented and maintained on board.
14. Who approves the Ship Security Plan?
- A. The Port Authority
- B. Charterer's Representative
- C. The Recognized Cargo Agency
- D. The Flag State
Answer: D — The Flag State
The Ship Security Plan (SSP), a critical document under the ISPS Code, must be approved by the Flag State Administration or a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) acting on its behalf. This approval ensures that the plan meets the mandatory requirements and effectively addresses the identified security vulnerabilities of the ship.
15. Seafarers with designated security duties are responsible for:
- A. Calculating vessel stability indices
- B. Managing commercial port bills
- C. Comprehensive engine overhauling procedures
- D. Knowledge of methods of physical structures of baggage
Answer: D — Knowledge of methods of physical structures of baggage
Seafarers assigned Designated Security Duties (DSD), as per STCW and ISPS Code, receive training in critical security functions. This includes understanding search techniques, methods for inspecting baggage and cargo, and identifying suspicious items or concealed compartments, directly related to the physical integrity of the vessel.
16. The ISPS code applies to:
- A. Cargo ships
- B. Ships above 500 GRT
- C. Passenger ships
- D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, specifically SOLAS Chapter XI-2, applies broadly to passenger ships, cargo ships (including high-speed craft) of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, and mobile offshore drilling units, when engaged on international voyages. It also applies to port facilities serving such ships.
17. Which of the following is considered a security record?
- A. Engine indicator cards
- B. Cargo stowage plan blueprints
- C. Record of security/safety drills
- D. Fuel oil analysis profiles
Answer: C — Record of security/safety drills
Under the ISPS Code, records of security drills and exercises are mandatory security records. They demonstrate compliance, document training, and provide evidence of the ship's preparedness to respond to security threats, forming a crucial part of the Ship Security Plan (SSP) documentation.
18. Which of the below is *not* included in a CSR (Continuous Synopsis Record)?
- A. Name of the classification society
- B. Flag under which ship is registered
- C. Date of ship registration
- D. The SSO's name
Answer: D — The SSO's name
The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR), mandated by SOLAS, contains a permanent record of the ship's history, including flag, name, IMO number, owner, and classification society. While the SSO is a critical security role, their personal name is not an element required to be on the CSR, which focuses on ship and company details.
19. Who sets the security level for the ship?
- A. The Charterer
- B. The Chief Mate
- C. The Flag State
- D. The Port Customs Department
Answer: C — The Flag State
The security level for a ship is primarily set by the Contracting Government (Flag State) or, when in port, by the Port State. The ship's Company Security Officer (CSO) and Ship Security Officer (SSO) must ensure the vessel operates at the declared security level, adjusting measures as required by the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
20. Complete the sentence: Security drills should be conducted at least once every:
- A. Six months
- B. Three months
- C. Twelve months
- D. One month
Answer: B — Three months
As per the ISPS Code, security drills should be conducted at intervals of no more than three months. This regular practice ensures that shipboard personnel are proficient in their security duties and familiar with the Ship Security Plan (SSP), maintaining a high level of preparedness for various security scenarios.
21. Which of the below spaces on deck and machinery spaces are most vulnerable for smuggling of drugs or contraband?
- A. Cargo hold
- B. Galley mess room tables
- C. Captain's office desk
- D. Navigation bridge deck floors
Answer: A — Cargo hold
Cargo holds, due to their large volume and often varying access control during loading and unloading, are highly vulnerable spaces for the concealment and smuggling of drugs or contraband. Comprehensive search procedures and stringent access control are essential for these areas, as outlined in the Ship Security Plan (SSP).
22. The modern definition of piracy includes one of the following:
- A. Robbery
- B. Cargo short delivery disputes
- C. Commercial contract breach
- D. Unintentional navigational deviation
Answer: A — Robbery
Under international law (UNCLOS Article 101), piracy involves illegal acts of violence or detention committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against another ship or aircraft on the high seas. This definition directly encompasses acts of robbery at sea.
23. You find a suspicious object on the deck. Which action will you take?
- A. Throw it overboard immediately
- B. Open it up to check the contents yourself
- C. Leave it and check it during the next watch change
- D. Inform Master immediately on radio
Answer: D — Inform Master immediately on radio
Discovering a suspicious object requires immediate action and adherence to the Ship Security Plan (SSP). The priority is to inform the Master immediately, who will then assess the situation and initiate appropriate responses, which may include isolating the area and calling for expert assistance. Unauthorized handling is dangerous.
24. Which of the below spaces in the galley and dry stores are most vulnerable for smuggling and contrabands?
- A. The mess room dining counter
- B. Open garbage bin containers
- C. Daily dry store shelves
- D. Inside fish or sides of beef in freezers
Answer: D — Inside fish or sides of beef in freezers
In the galley and dry stores, concealed spaces within perishable goods like large fish or sides of beef in freezers present a significant vulnerability for smuggling. Such items require thorough inspection, as contraband can be hidden within them, making detection difficult without careful scrutiny during loading and storage.
25. Which of the below has the *least* possibility of finding hidden drugs and contrabands?
- A. In the wash basin cabinet
- B. All the above
- C. Inside structural ventilation louvers
- D. On the soap stand
Answer: B — All the above
Least likely context compared to hidden voids
26. The CSR is a:
- A. Custom Survey Report
- B. Commercial Statement of Freight Rates
- C. Crew Service Record registry
- D. Record of history of the ship
Answer: D — Record of history of the ship
The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR), mandated by SOLAS Chapter XI-1/5, serves as a comprehensive onboard history of the ship. It records essential administrative data, such as the ship's name, flag, owner, and management, detailing all changes throughout its operational life to enhance transparency and security.
27. The ISPS code applies to cargo ships, passenger ships, and:
- A. Coastal fishing boats
- B. Non-propelled wooden barges
- C. Pleasure yachts under 12 meters
- D. Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs)
Answer: D — Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs)
Or D - All the Above based on video options sequence
28. Which of the following equipment is *not* a part of cyber security?
- A. Soap up equipment
- B. Firewalls
- C. Network routers
- D. Encryption devices
Answer: A — Soap up equipment
Firewalls, encryption devices, and network routers are all fundamental components of cyber security infrastructure, designed to protect digital systems and data from unauthorized access or attacks. "Soap up equipment" is not a recognized term in cybersecurity and is therefore not part of cyber security measures.
29. When doing a physical search of a package or bag, we should look for the following:
- A. Expiry dates of interior goods
- B. The quality of the package or bag
- C. Manufacturer addresses
- D. Price tags of the items
Answer: B — The quality of the package or bag
During a physical search of a package or bag for security purposes, personnel should pay attention to the construction and quality of the item itself. Unusual or poor quality, tampering, false bottoms, or unusual weight distribution can indicate concealment or attempts to bypass security, guiding further investigation.
30. Which of the below spaces on deck and machinery spaces are most vulnerable for smuggling drugs or contrabands?
- A. Steering wheel housing
- B. Open walkways
- C. Main switchboard panels
- D. Cofferdams
Answer: D — Cofferdams
Cofferdams are enclosed, often inaccessible spaces designed to provide separation, making them ideal clandestine hiding spots for contraband due to their infrequent inspection and isolation. Open walkways, steering wheel housing, and main switchboard panels are more visible or require specialist access, making them less preferred for illicit concealment.
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