PSC Examination Practice Questions

Coast Guard Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is the primary purpose of a lifeboat on board a

ship?

a) Storage of equipment

b) Passenger comfort

c) Safe evacuation in emergencies

d) Firefighting

Rationale: Lifeboats are designed primarily for safe evacuation of

personnel during emergencies.

• What color are survival craft usually painted for high visibility?

a) White 1 / 4

b) Black

c) Orange

d) Blue

Rationale: Bright orange is used to enhance visibility in the water for

rescue operations.

3. Before lowering a lifeboat, you must ensure:

a) Passengers are standing

b) All persons are seated and wearing lifejackets

c) Engine is running

d) Sails are unfurled

Rationale: Ensuring all persons are seated and wearing lifejackets

prevents injuries during lowering.

• What is the purpose of a liferaft hydrostatic release unit?

a) Inflate the raft manually

b) Automatically release the liferaft if the ship sinks

c) Provide radio communication

d) Signal the position of the ship

Rationale: A hydrostatic release unit ensures the liferaft is deployed

automatically in case the vessel sinks.

• How often should survival craft be launched as part of drills?

a) Every 5 years

b) At least once every month on board or as per the vessel's safety

schedule 2 / 4

c) Only during emergencies

d) Annually

Rationale: Regular drills ensure crew familiarity with launching and

operating survival craft.

• Which item is essential in a lifeboat for signaling rescuers?

a) Compass

b) Food rations

c) Pyrotechnic signals (flares)

d) Anchor

Rationale: Pyrotechnic signals are designed to attract attention and

guide rescuers to the survival craft.

7. When using a lifeboat oar, the correct technique involves:

a) Paddling with hands only

b) Holding the oar at the center

c) Using the blade to push water backward while keeping balance

d) Standing on the gunwale

Rationale: Correct oar technique ensures effective propulsion and

stability.

• What is the maximum number of persons allowed in a liferaft?
• 2

b) As marked on the liferaft canopy or certificate

• 10
• 20 3 / 4

Rationale: Liferafts are certified for a specific number of persons;

exceeding this reduces safety.

• Which action should you take if the lifeboat engine fails?

a) Wait for help

b) Use oars or paddles to navigate

c) Jump into the water

d) Inflate additional rafts

Rationale: Manual propulsion ensures you can still navigate to safety

if the engine fails.

10. When launching a lifeboat with davits, the first step is to:

a) Inflate the lifeboat

b) Cut the painter

c) Check that all securing devices and hooks are released properly

d) Start the engine

Rationale: Proper release of securing devices prevents accidents and

ensures smooth lowering.

11. The painter line on a liferaft is used to:

a) Tie cargo

b) Secure the raft to the ship and trigger inflation

c) Row the liferaft

d) Measure water depth

Rationale: Pulling the painter line activates the hydrostatic release

and secures the raft.

• / 4