CES Test Practice for Seafarers
Companies use the CES test to check what you know before they hire you. Practise the STCW knowledge it covers — safety, firefighting, pollution prevention, rules of the road and shipboard basics — with timed tests and explained answers.
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Why companies use the CES test
A certificate shows you completed the training; the CES test shows the company what you remember. Many manning companies use it to screen applicants and to decide on promotions, so a weak score can cost you a contract even when your papers are in order.
What it covers
- Safety and survival: alarms, muster, lifesaving appliances, man overboard.
- Firefighting: the fire triangle, extinguishers, fixed systems.
- Pollution prevention: MARPOL annexes and garbage, oil and sewage rules.
- Rank and department: COLREGs and navigation for deck, machinery and systems for engine.
How to prepare
Revise your STCW basic safety courses first — most of the safety questions come straight from them. Then practise by department under time pressure. The free questions below cover the basics every seafarer should know.
10 free CES-style practice questions
Basic safety and professional knowledge every seafarer is expected to have. Choose an answer to check it — the explanation opens straight away.
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Q1.Which three elements make up the fire triangle?
Show answer
Answer: A. Heat, fuel and oxygen
A fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen. Every firefighting method removes one of them: cooling removes heat, starving removes fuel, smothering removes oxygen.
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Q2.Which portable extinguisher is suitable for a fire in live electrical equipment?
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Answer: C. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
CO₂ does not conduct electricity and leaves no residue. Water and foam conduct electricity and must not be used on live equipment.
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Q3.What is the general emergency alarm signal on board?
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Answer: C. Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast
Under SOLAS, the general emergency alarm is seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and alarm bells. On hearing it, go to your muster station.
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Q4.Which MARPOL annex deals with the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships?
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Answer: C. Annex V
Annex I covers oil, IV sewage, V garbage and VI air pollution.
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Q5.You see a person fall overboard. What should you do first?
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Answer: B. Raise the alarm, throw a lifebuoy and keep the person in sight
Shout 'Man overboard', throw the nearest lifebuoy, and keep pointing at the person so they are not lost from sight. The bridge then manoeuvres the ship.
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Q6.Before anyone enters an enclosed space, the oxygen reading should be:
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Answer: C. 20.9% by volume
Normal air is 20.9% oxygen. The space must also be tested for flammable and toxic gases, and entry needs a permit and a standby person at the entrance.
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Q7.Why should a person in the water adopt the HELP position?
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Answer: B. To reduce loss of body heat
HELP is the Heat Escape Lessening Posture: knees drawn up and arms held across the chest to slow hypothermia.
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Q8.At night you see a vessel showing an all-round white light above an all-round red light. She is:
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Answer: B. A pilot vessel on duty
White over red, pilot at sea. (Red over white is a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling; two all-round reds is a vessel not under command.)
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Q9.Through what arc of the horizon does a sidelight show?
Show answer
Answer: B. 112.5°
Each sidelight shows over 112.5°, from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam. The sternlight covers the remaining 135°.
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Q10.What is the main purpose of a centrifugal purifier in the engine room?
Show answer
Answer: B. To remove water and solid impurities from fuel or lubricating oil
A purifier spins the oil at high speed so that heavier water and sludge separate out, protecting the engine from contaminated fuel and lube oil.
Full timed mock tests open with the course.
Join the waitlistCES Test Practice
₹1,500- ✓Timed practice tests in the style of the CES test, by rank and department
- ✓Question banks for safety, firefighting, survival, MARPOL, COLREGs, deck and engine
- ✓Explained answers that refer back to the rule or convention
Prepared and checked by senior Merchant Navy officers, not by a coaching centre.
Company Readiness Pack
Includes Marlins Test Practice, CES Test Practice and 3 years of Community Access.
Common questions
What is the CES test?
CES (Crew Evaluation System) is a computer-based test of professional knowledge used by many shipping and manning companies when they hire or promote seafarers. It was developed by Seagull and is now part of Ocean Technologies Group.
What does the CES test cover?
Multiple-choice questions based on the STCW competences for your rank and department: safety, firefighting, survival, pollution prevention, and deck or engine knowledge. Officers and ratings sit different tests.
What is the CES pass mark?
It is set by each company, and the number of questions and time allowed depend on the test module. Ask the company that is testing you which test and score it requires for your rank.
Who has to take the CES test?
Usually seafarers applying to a company that uses CES in its selection, from ratings to senior officers. Freshers and cadets may meet it when they apply for their first contract.
Is this the official CES test?
No. Marine One's practice is independent preparation covering the same STCW knowledge, so the real test holds no surprises. It is not produced by or affiliated with Ocean Technologies Group.
CES (Crew Evaluation System) is a product of Ocean Technologies Group. MarineOne is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ocean Technologies Group; our practice material is independent and written by Marine One.
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