PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free VPDSD Practice Questions

Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2) practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More STCW Maritime Training Certifications

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

STCW Basic Safety Training

Practice Questions

ECDIS Generic Training (IMO Model Course 1.27)

Practice Questions

STCW Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-1)

Practice Questions

STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (VI/3)

Practice Questions

STCW Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-2)

Practice Questions

STCW Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-1)

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VPDSD Exam

3 levels

MARSEC Security Levels

ISPS Code

A-VI/6-2

STCW Competence Table

STCW Code as amended

SOLAS XI-2

Maritime Security Chapter

SOLAS 1974 as amended

8-10 hours

Typical Course Length

IMO Model Course 3.26

70%

Common Pass Mark

Approved training centres

One-time

No Mandatory Refresher

STCW Regulation VI/6

VPDSD is the STCW A-VI/6-2 qualification for seafarers assigned security duties under the Ship Security Plan, sitting between Security Awareness (A-VI/6-1) and the Ship Security Officer (VI/5) in the Regulation VI/6 progression. The course, based on SOLAS XI-2, the ISPS Code and IMO Model Course 3.26, covers maintaining the SSP across the three MARSEC security levels; recognizing weapons, explosives, threat patterns and circumvention techniques; conducting restricted-area security rounds; operating and testing security equipment including metal detectors, CCTV and the covert Ship Security Alert System (SSAS); physical and non-intrusive search of persons, baggage, stores, cargo and vehicles; access control with ID verification, visitor escort and the Declaration of Security; crowd management and security communications; and contingency response to bomb threats, suspicious packages and piracy. Training is usually 8-10 hours with a short multiple-choice assessment (commonly 70% to pass); it is a one-time requirement with no STCW refresher cycle.

Sample VPDSD Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VPDSD exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under STCW Table A-VI/6-2, which document sets out the specific duties a vessel crew member with designated security duties must carry out on board?
A.The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)
B.The Ship Security Plan (SSP)
C.The International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)
D.The muster list
Explanation: The Ship Security Plan (SSP), required by the ISPS Code Part A, defines the security measures and assigns the duties that personnel with designated security duties must maintain. STCW A-VI/6-2 trains crew to perform those SSP-assigned tasks.
2How many maritime security levels are defined under the ISPS Code, and what does the lowest level represent?
A.Two levels; Level 1 is the highest-risk normal state
B.Three levels; Level 1 is the normal level at which minimum protective measures are maintained
C.Four levels; Level 1 is a heightened-threat state
D.Three levels; Level 3 is the normal everyday level
Explanation: The ISPS Code defines three security levels. Security Level 1 is the normal level at which the ship and port operate, with minimum appropriate protective security measures maintained at all times.
3Security Level 2 under the ISPS Code is set when:
A.The ship is in normal operation with no specific threat
B.The ship is laid up and unmanned
C.A security incident is probable or imminent, even if the specific target is unknown
D.There is a heightened risk of a security incident and additional protective measures must be maintained for a period of time
Explanation: Security Level 2 applies for as long as there is a heightened risk of a security incident, requiring appropriate additional protective measures to be maintained beyond the Level 1 baseline.
4Who is normally responsible for setting the maritime security level that applies to a ship?
A.The Contracting Government (flag or coastal State) of the area concerned
B.The Master alone, at personal discretion
C.The Company Security Officer for commercial reasons
D.Any crew member with designated security duties
Explanation: Under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, Contracting Governments set the security level and communicate it to ships and port facilities. The ship complies with the level set by the government for the area it is operating in or entering.
5When the security level is raised from Level 1 to Level 2, what should personnel with designated security duties do regarding access control at the gangway?
A.Stop all access to the ship entirely
B.Maintain only the standard Level 1 checks
C.Implement the additional measures specified in the SSP for Level 2, such as more frequent ID checks and limiting access points
D.Wait for instructions from the next port before changing anything
Explanation: At Level 2 the SSP prescribes additional protective measures; crew must apply them, which typically includes increased frequency and detail of identity checks and reducing the number of access points to the ship.
6At Security Level 3, the SSP and government may require which of the following?
A.Suspension of all security measures to save resources
B.Preparation for, or cooperation with, those responding to the security incident or threat, including possible movement of the ship
C.Reducing watchkeeping to a single person
D.Granting unrestricted access to all visitors
Explanation: Security Level 3 applies when an incident is probable or imminent. Measures may include readiness to cooperate with responders, restricting access to a single controlled point, and preparing for actions such as moving the ship.
7The ISPS Code requirements for ships are derived from which SOLAS chapter?
A.SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation)
B.SOLAS Chapter XI-2 (Special measures to enhance maritime security)
C.SOLAS Chapter IX (Management for the Safe Operation of Ships)
D.SOLAS Chapter II-2 (Fire protection)
Explanation: SOLAS Chapter XI-2 contains the special measures to enhance maritime security and makes the ISPS Code mandatory for ships and port facilities to which it applies.
8Under STCW A-VI/6-2, a crew member with designated security duties is expected to understand the SSP in order to:
A.Approve amendments to the plan
B.Maintain the security measures and arrangements set out in the plan for the current security level
C.Issue the International Ship Security Certificate
D.Set the ship's security level
Explanation: The competence in Table A-VI/6-2 is to maintain the conditions set out in the SSP. The crew member carries out and sustains the plan's measures appropriate to the prevailing security level.
9Which onboard role has overall responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of the Ship Security Plan and to whom designated-duty crew report on security matters?
A.The Chief Engineer
B.The bosun
C.The Ship Security Officer (SSO)
D.The Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO)
Explanation: The Ship Security Officer (SSO) is accountable to the Master for the ship's security, including implementing and maintaining the SSP and supervising crew with designated security duties.
10A Declaration of Security (DoS) is an agreement reached between:
A.Two crew members on the same ship
B.A ship and a port facility (or another ship) specifying the security measures each will implement during their interface
C.The flag State and the IMO
D.The Company and its insurers
Explanation: A Declaration of Security records the agreed security measures and responsibilities shared between a ship and a port facility, or between two ships, during their interface, especially at higher security levels or higher-risk situations.

About the VPDSD Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.