SET - 6 | STSDSD Exit Exam Mock - Questions and Answers - 2026

The record is inspected by the internal auditor to ensure compliance with company policies, the external auditor to verify adherence to international standards such as SOLAS and ISM Code, and Port State Control officers to confirm the vessel meets all regulatory requirements for safe operation and environmental protection. Therefore, all parties are authorized and may inspect relevant records.

Declaration of Security (DoS) is mandated by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code when the ship and the port facility are not operating under the same security level, ensuring communication and coordination to address potential threats. This measure is crucial to maintain security integrity and prevent unauthorized access or activities during the interface between the vessel and the port. The DoS is not a routine requirement for every loading or discharge, nor for every port of call, but rather a specific security measure triggered by a disparity in security levels.

Security Level 1, as defined by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, mandates routine security measures to maintain a continuously guarded posture. Option B, "Control the embarkation of persons and their effects," is a core security measure at this level, ensuring proper identification and screening of all individuals and their belongings before they board the vessel. This proactive control is fundamental to preventing unauthorized access and the introduction of prohibited items, directly aligning with the objective of maintaining security.

The most reliable search method for passengers and visitors, especially in routine security checks, is a physical search as it allows for direct, hands-on inspection of individuals and their belongings. While arch detectors and X-ray machines are valuable tools, they can miss concealed items or be bypassed, whereas a thorough physical search, conducted by trained personnel, offers a higher degree of certainty in detecting prohibited articles or contraband as per ISPS Code principles.

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, integral to SOLAS, mandates strict access control and verification procedures for all persons boarding a vessel, including company personnel. An unplanned visit by office staff indicates a potential circumvention or bypass of these established security protocols for notification, identification, and authorization. This procedural lapse inherently creates a vulnerability that could be exploited, thereby posing a significant potential security risk to the ship and its operations.

Option D, "Open deck arrangement including the height of the deck above water," is an assessment tool as it directly relates to intact and damaged stability calculations and the vessel's reserve buoyancy, critical for assessing seaworthiness and survival capabilities under SOLAS and relevant maritime safety standards. This information is essential for determining a vessel's ability to withstand wave action and maintain stability in various sea conditions, a core principle of safe navigation. Understanding deck height above water is fundamental to assessing freeboard and overall safety margins.

Yes, thorough knowledge of Part B of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which outlines the essential Steering and Sailing Rules, is absolutely mandatory for all mariners. The STCW Convention explicitly requires a comprehensive understanding of COLREGs, including Part B, as fundamental for safe navigation, collision avoidance, and maintaining certificates of competency. Adherence to these rules is critical for maritime safety and preventing incidents at sea.

Option B is correct as the welding of rods on accesses such as hawse pipes represents a physical barrier designed to impede unauthorized entry, a key principle in maritime security under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Options A, C, and D are standard operational equipment and do not inherently contribute to the security of a vessel by preventing unauthorized access.

Option A is correct because drills, as a fundamental component of maritime security and safety management systems under SOLAS and the ISPS Code, are precisely defined as highly supervised activities designed to test proficiency in a single specific procedure, equipment operation, or response measure within the Ship Security Plan. This focused approach ensures individual competency and validates discrete elements of the overall security framework, differentiating them from more comprehensive exercises.

SOLAS and STCW mandates that all crew members possess comprehensive knowledge of emergency equipment locations and operation, casualty handling procedures, and specific emergency protocols such as prohibiting elevator use during emergencies. Therefore, awareness of all these aspects is a fundamental requirement for maritime safety and operational readiness. Option D encompasses all these critical safety knowledge areas essential for every crew member.

The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) is a mandatory on-board document under SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 5, designed to provide a comprehensive and continuous history of the ship. It meticulously records crucial administrative and operational data, including the registered name and details of the shipowner, the ISM Company responsible for managing the ship, and any bareboat charter details if applicable. Therefore, all the listed options—owner details, ISM Company details, and bareboat charter details—are essential components of the ship's CSR, making Option D correct.

The Ship Security Plan (SSP) is a mandatory document under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, which must be approved by the Administration. The Administration, in this context, refers to the Flag State under which the ship is entitled to operate, or a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) acting on its behalf. Therefore, any proposed amendments to the already approved SSP must be submitted to the Flag State for review and formal approval to ensure continued compliance with international security standards.

Option B is correct because Security Level 1, the normal operating condition, requires continuous vigilance and implementing standard security procedures, including supervising the handling of cargo and ship's stores. This measure, mandated by the ISPS Code, is fundamental for preventing unauthorized access, tampering, or introduction of prohibited items, thus maintaining the vessel's integrity and safety. Regular supervision is a proactive and routine security measure, unlike the more restrictive actions associated with higher security levels.

A ship-shore security drill, mandated by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, requires the active involvement of the Ship Security Officer (SSO) for onboard execution and the Company Security Officer (CSO) for oversight and compliance with the Ship Security Plan. Additionally, the Contracting Government, through its Designated Authority and Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), represents the critical shore-side element, ensuring the Port Facility Security Plan is effectively integrated and tested against the ship's procedures. Consequently, thorough testing of the ship/port interface and adherence to international maritime security standards necessitate the participation of all these roles.

The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) is a highly specialized and comprehensive process primarily overseen by the Company Security Officer (CSO) to identify and evaluate security risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. This critical assessment forms the foundation for developing the Ship Security Plan (SSP) and is a management-level responsibility, distinct from the operational duties of seafarers with designated security duties (DSD). DSD personnel are trained to implement the SSP, not to conduct its initial, in-depth security assessment.

The correct answer is Option D, "All ship board personnel." While the Ship Security Officer (SSO) and Master have primary responsibility for security implementation, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, part of SOLAS Chapter XI-2, mandates that all shipboard personnel receive security awareness training. This training ensures every crew member can recognize and report potential security threats, including weapons, dangerous substances, and devices, making their collective vigilance critical to the vessel's overall security posture.

Seafarers with designated security duties are specifically trained and knowledgeable in executing physical searches of baggage and cargo, a fundamental aspect of maintaining ship security as mandated by the ISPS Code. This direct operational capability ensures the identification and neutralization of security threats. While other options involve broader security management, Option C reflects a core, individual responsibility for a seafarer with designated security duties.

The security plan, as mandated by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, is indeed designed to safeguard all onboard personnel, cargo, the vessel itself, and ship's stores against any security threat or incident. This comprehensive approach is fundamental to maintaining maritime security and preventing unauthorized actions or attacks.

A security light bulb's operational limitation is its susceptibility to fusing or breaking, which can compromise the intended security function and is a critical consideration in maintaining vessel safety and security protocols mandated by international regulations. Failure of such equipment necessitates immediate attention to prevent security breaches or navigational hazards.

Yes, the statement is correct. The ISPS Code, specifically Section A/3.2, explicitly states its non-applicability to warships, naval auxiliaries, and other ships owned or operated by a Contracting Government when used only for government non-commercial service. This exemption is due to their sovereign nature and distinct operational profile, which falls outside the commercial maritime security scope the Code is designed to regulate.

The Ship Security Plan (SSP), required under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, is exclusively focused on protecting the ship, its personnel, cargo, and stores from security incidents. While the SSP dictates how the ship interfaces securely with a port, the port facility itself is protected by its own distinct Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP), as mandated by the ISPS Code. Therefore, the ship's security plan does not directly cover the security of the port facility.

While all ship's staff require awareness of security protocols, only designated security personnel need comprehensive, detailed knowledge of the ISPS Code in its entirety. STCW and SOLAS place the onus for understanding the full ISPS Code on Company and Ship Security Officers, not every individual crew member.

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, mandated by SOLAS Chapter XI-2, primarily applies to international voyages and port facilities that serve ships engaged on international voyages, not typically those exclusively on coastal voyages. While some coastal states may adopt similar security measures, the ISPS Code's direct applicability is generally for international maritime traffic.

The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) is a mandatory onboard document, as per SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 5, designed to provide a comprehensive and continuous historical record of the ship's life. It details significant events and changes in the ship's particulars throughout its operational existence, including ownership, flag, classification society, and company responsible for ISM code compliance. This record ensures traceability and transparency of the ship's identity and key information from its initial build to its final disposal, making "record of history of ship" the correct and precise description.

No, the Safety Officer and the Ship Security Officer are distinct roles with separate responsibilities on board a vessel. The Safety Officer's duties are primarily defined by the ISM Code (SOLAS Chapter IX), focusing on occupational health, accident prevention, and overall safety management. Conversely, the Ship Security Officer's role is mandated by SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, specifically addressing ship security, anti-terrorism measures, and implementing the Ship Security Plan.

The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR), a mandatory SOLAS requirement under Chapter XI-1, Regulation 5, must be issued and maintained exclusively in English. This ensures universal understanding, consistency, and efficient verification of the ship's history and compliance by port State control officers and all international maritime authorities, aligning with the globally recognized working language of the maritime industry.

Profiling in maritime safety, aligned with STCW requirements for human element training, aims to identify different personality types to understand potential behavioral influences on crew performance and decision-making. Recognizing diverse personality types facilitates effective communication, teamwork, and risk mitigation strategies essential for maintaining operational safety and efficiency at sea. This understanding is crucial for fostering a positive safety culture and preventing incidents arising from human factors.

The Ship Security Plan (SSP), as required by SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, is a comprehensive document that must detail all measures and procedures for the ship's security. A fundamental component of any effective SSP is the inclusion of clear, actionable procedures for the evacuation of ship's staff in the event of security threats or breaches. This ensures the safety of life at sea, which is paramount in all maritime operations and emergency preparedness.

The Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) is responsible for the overall implementation and maintenance of the port facility security plan and liaising with the Company Security Officer (CSO), but their core duty, as defined by SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, is to manage the security of the port facility. While developing plans and coordinating security are components of this role, the overarching responsibility rests with managing security operations. Therefore, "Manage port security" is the most comprehensive and correct description of the PFSO's function.

The ISPS Code, as mandated by SOLAS Chapter XI-2, specifically addresses security measures for ships and port facilities. While it covers a broad range of vessels, offshore installations, due to their critical infrastructure and potential target status, are explicitly included under the purview of ISPS security requirements. Sailing ships, not engaged in international voyages or commercial operations typically regulated by ISPS, are generally not covered.