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Key Facts: STCW Passenger Ship Safety Exam

Regulation V/2 para 6

Mandating Requirement

STCW Convention

Section A-V/2 para 2

Standard of Competence

STCW Code

Model Course 1.44 (2018)

IMO Syllabus

International Maritime Organization

3 core abilities

Communication, LSA, Embarkation

STCW Code A-V/2 para 2

5 years

Refresher Interval

STCW Regulation V/2

7 short + 1 long blast

General Emergency Alarm

SOLAS / ship muster

This short mandatory STCW course is for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces - cabin stewards, restaurant and bar staff, shop assistants and entertainers on cruise ships and ferries. It is required by STCW Regulation V/2 paragraph 6 and delivers the three abilities in Code Section A-V/2 paragraph 2: communicating with passengers in an emergency (clear simple terms, the languages of the principal nationalities carried, elementary English vocabulary, and non-verbal demonstration); demonstrating the correct use of personal life-saving appliances, especially donning adult, child and infant lifejackets; and embarking and disembarking passengers, with special attention to children, the elderly and persons with reduced mobility. It also reinforces general emergency familiarization - the general alarm, lift restrictions, effective mustering and searching passenger spaces. IMO Model Course 1.44 (2018) is the syllabus; training is assessed by a written quiz plus practical demonstration, with documentary evidence issued and a refresher within five years.

Sample STCW Passenger Ship Safety Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the STCW Passenger Ship Safety exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under which provision of the STCW Convention and Code is safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces required?
A.Regulation V/1 and Section A-V/1
B.Regulation V/2, paragraph 6, and Section A-V/2, paragraph 2
C.Regulation VI/1 and Section A-VI/1
D.Regulation II/4 and Section A-II/4
Explanation: STCW Regulation V/2, paragraph 6 requires personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces to complete this safety training, with the abilities specified in Section A-V/2, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code.
2Which group of crew members is specifically required to complete safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces?
A.Only deck officers holding a watchkeeping certificate
B.Hotel, catering, retail and entertainment staff who serve passengers directly in passenger spaces
C.Only engine-room ratings
D.Only the master and chief mate
Explanation: The training under Regulation V/2, paragraph 6 targets personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces — cabin stewards, restaurant and bar staff, shop assistants, entertainers and similar hotel/service crew who work where passengers are present.
3Which IMO Model Course corresponds to safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces?
A.IMO Model Course 1.41
B.IMO Model Course 1.42
C.IMO Model Course 1.28
D.IMO Model Course 1.44
Explanation: IMO Model Course 1.44 (2018 edition) covers safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces, meeting the requirements of Regulation V/2 and Section A-V/2.
4Section A-V/2, paragraph 2 lists the abilities for direct-service personnel. Which set correctly summarises those abilities?
A.Communicating with passengers in an emergency, demonstrating personal life-saving appliances, and embarking/disembarking passengers
B.Navigation, cargo handling and stability calculations
C.Firefighting team leadership, damage control and pumping operations
D.Radar plotting, collision avoidance and bridge resource management
Explanation: Section A-V/2, paragraph 2 sets three core abilities: communicate with passengers during an emergency, demonstrate the use of personal life-saving appliances, and embark/disembark passengers with special attention to those needing assistance.
5How is successful completion of the direct-service passenger-safety training normally evidenced to seafarers and inspectors?
A.By a verbal confirmation from the master only
B.By an endorsement on the ship's load line certificate
C.By documentary evidence (a certificate of proficiency or training completion) issued in accordance with Regulation V/2
D.By a note in the ship's official log book only
Explanation: Regulation V/2 requires that documentary evidence of the training completed be issued to every person found qualified, so a certificate/document of proficiency is provided and can be verified during inspections.
6A cruise ship carries passengers whose principal nationalities are Spanish and German speaking. According to Section A-V/2, what should direct-service personnel be able to do regarding language?
A.Be fully fluent in every language spoken by every passenger on board
B.Refuse to assist passengers who do not speak the crew member's native language
C.Communicate basic emergency information using the language(s) appropriate to the principal nationalities carried, supported by elementary English
D.Rely only on the ship's public-address system and give no individual instructions
Explanation: Section A-V/2 expects personnel to communicate with passengers in an emergency taking account of the language(s) of the principal nationalities carried, supplemented by elementary English vocabulary for basic instructions.
7Why does the training emphasise an 'elementary English safety vocabulary' for direct-service personnel?
A.Because a small set of simple, standard English safety words provides a common fallback when crew and passengers share no other language
B.Because English is the only language permitted on passenger ships
C.Because passengers are legally required to understand English
D.Because written English signs replace any need to speak to passengers
Explanation: Elementary English safety vocabulary gives crew and passengers a simple shared set of key words and phrases to convey essential instructions when no other common language exists.
8During an emergency, a steward must direct passengers who do not understand the announcements toward a muster station. Which technique best reflects the non-verbal communication taught in this course?
A.Speaking faster and louder in the crew member's own language
B.Waiting for an interpreter before giving any direction
C.Using clear hand signals, pointing and physically demonstrating the route and actions
D.Handing passengers a printed multi-page legal notice to read
Explanation: When language fails, the course teaches non-verbal communication — hand signals, pointing, gestures and demonstration — to convey direction and required actions clearly and quickly.
9When giving emergency instructions to passengers, which phrasing best matches the 'clear and simple terms' principle of the training?
A.'Follow me to the meeting point. Bring your lifejacket. Stay calm.'
B.'Please proceed to the designated assembly point indicated on the muster schematic'
C.'Evacuate via the prescribed egress route to the embarkation deck'
D.'Comply with the master's general emergency alarm signal protocol'
Explanation: Short, plain, action-oriented sentences with common words ('Follow me', 'Bring your lifejacket', 'Stay calm') are far easier for passengers — especially non-native speakers — to understand under stress.
10A passenger appears frozen with fear and is not responding to spoken instructions. What is the most appropriate first action for direct-service crew?
A.Leave the passenger and continue with others, reporting later
B.Tell the passenger they will be left behind if they do not move
C.Shout the emergency instructions repeatedly until the passenger complies
D.Make calm eye contact, use a reassuring tone and simple words, and guide the passenger gently by demonstrating what to do
Explanation: Reducing panic relies on calm, reassuring contact, simple words and demonstration; a frozen passenger responds better to gentle guidance than to shouting or threats.

About the STCW Passenger Ship Safety Exam

Safety Training for Personnel Providing Direct Service to Passengers in Passenger Spaces is a mandatory STCW course for hotel, catering, retail and entertainment crew who work where passengers are present on cruise ships and passenger ferries. It is required by Regulation V/2, paragraph 6 of the STCW Convention and delivers the abilities set out in Section A-V/2, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code. The course covers communicating with passengers during an emergency, demonstrating the use of personal life-saving appliances such as lifejackets, and embarking and disembarking passengers with special attention to those needing assistance. IMO Model Course 1.44 (2018) provides the syllabus, and flag-state-approved training centres confirm competence through a written assessment and practical demonstration.

Exam sponsor: Flag-state-approved maritime training centre (under the IMO STCW Convention and Code). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Short written assessment at the end of the course

Passing Score

Set by the training centre (commonly 70% on the written assessment)

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies by training centre

Exam sponsor website

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

16%

Regulatory Framework & Course Scope

STCW Regulation V/2 paragraph 6 and Code Section A-V/2 paragraph 2, who needs the training (hotel, catering, retail, entertainment crew), IMO Model Course 1.44, documentary evidence of completion, the 2010 Manila amendments, and the 5-year refresher requirement

24%

Emergency Communication with Passengers

Communicating in clear simple terms, language barriers and the languages of the principal nationalities carried, elementary English safety vocabulary, non-verbal demonstration and hand signals, gaining attention in a crowd, reducing panic, confirming understanding, and giving accurate information

18%

Personal Life-Saving Appliances

Demonstrating correct donning of adult, child and infant lifejackets, securing all straps and child crotch straps, the whistle and light features, locating jackets in cabins and at muster stations, and replacing damaged jackets

14%

Embarkation & Disembarkation

Gangway safety nets and slip prevention, tender (ship's boat) transfers timed to the boat's motion, the vessel-to-quay gap hazard, ferry pedestrian/vehicle separation, crowd metering to prevent crushes, and survival-craft embarkation priority

16%

Assisting Passengers Needing Special Care

Helping children, the elderly, persons with reduced mobility, visual or hearing impairment, pregnant passengers and those with assistance animals, recognised guiding techniques, and identifying special-assistance needs early in the voyage

12%

Emergency Familiarization & Mustering

The general emergency alarm signal (seven short blasts and one long), lift restrictions, effective mustering, keeping order and suitable clothing with lifejackets at muster, searching passenger accommodation and public spaces, passenger lists, and drills

Preparing for the STCW Passenger Ship Safety Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set by the training centre (commonly 70% on the written assessment)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Short written assessment at the end of the course
  • Exam / certification fees: Varies by training centre Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
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STCW Passenger Ship Safety: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorise the three core abilities in STCW Code A-V/2 paragraph 2: communicate with passengers in an emergency, demonstrate personal life-saving appliances, and embark/disembark passengers needing assistance
2Learn the general emergency alarm signal - seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm - and why lifts are not used in an emergency
3Practise lifejacket donning steps: over the head, fasten and tighten all straps and the child crotch strap, then check the fit so it cannot ride up; know where adult, child and infant jackets are stowed
4Focus on communicating in clear simple terms with elementary English vocabulary and non-verbal demonstration for passengers of different nationalities
5Know the embarkation/disembarkation hazards: gangway safety nets, the vessel-to-quay gap, timing tender steps to the boat's motion, and metering crowds to prevent a crush
6Understand that refresher evidence is required within five years under STCW Regulation V/2, and that documentary evidence of training must be issued on completion

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs STCW passenger ship safety training for direct service personnel?

It is required for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces - cabin stewards, restaurant and bar staff, shop assistants, entertainers and similar hotel and service crew on cruise ships and passenger ferries, under STCW Regulation V/2, paragraph 6.

What abilities does the course cover?

Under STCW Code Section A-V/2, paragraph 2 it covers three core abilities: communicating with passengers during an emergency, demonstrating the use of personal life-saving appliances such as lifejackets, and embarking and disembarking passengers with special attention to those needing assistance.

Which IMO Model Course relates to this training?

IMO Model Course 1.44 (2018 edition), Safety Training for Personnel Providing Direct Service to Passengers in Passenger Spaces, provides the syllabus that meets the requirements of Regulation V/2 and Section A-V/2 of the STCW Code.

How is the course assessed and is it multiple choice?

Flag-state-approved training centres confirm competence through a written end-of-course assessment (commonly multiple choice) together with practical demonstration of the abilities. There is no single IMO-published question count; the assessment standard is set by the centre.

How long is the course and how long is it valid?

It is a short course, often a half-day to one day. STCW Regulation V/2 requires personnel to provide evidence of competence achieved within the previous five years, so refresher or updating training is needed at intervals not exceeding five years.

Is this the same as crowd management training?

No. Crowd management training (Regulation V/2, paragraph 7) is for masters, officers and personnel designated on the muster list to assist passengers. The direct-service competence (paragraph 6) is for service staff who work in passenger spaces.

How should I communicate with passengers who do not speak my language?

Use simple key words, clear hand signals, pointing and physical demonstration, supported by elementary English and the languages of the principal nationalities carried. Stay calm and reassuring, and confirm passengers understand the required action.