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USCG Exam Practice · Plot true course and distance between two charted points

A vessel required to carry ARPA under 33 CFR §164.38 is also required to carry a speed and distance device. Under 33 CFR §164.40, the maximum allowable error in indicated speed, when operating free from shallow water effect and from wind, current, and tide, is:

  1. A1 percent of vessel speed or 0.1 knot, whichever is greater
  2. B10 percent of vessel speed or 1.0 knot, whichever is greater
  3. C5 percent of vessel speed or 0.5 knot, whichever is greater✓ correct
  4. D5 percent of vessel speed or 0.5 knot, whichever is lesser

Why C is correct

33 CFR §164.40(b)(2) specifies that speed errors should not exceed 5 percent of the vessel's speed or 0.5 knot, whichever is greater. The 'whichever is greater' clause is critical — option D reverses this to 'whichever is lesser,' which is incorrect.

Cited:33 CFR §164.40

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A vessel required to carry ARPA under 33 CFR §164.38 is also requir… — USCG Exam Practice · CaptainsGround