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

A vessel required to carry an 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 free from wind, current, and tide, is:

  1. A2 percent of vessel speed or 0.2 knot, whichever is greater
  2. B5 percent of vessel speed or 0.5 knot, whichever is greater✓ correct
  3. C10 percent of vessel speed or 1.0 knot, whichever is greater
  4. D5 percent of vessel speed or 0.5 knot, whichever is less

Why B is correct

33 CFR §164.40(b)(2) specifies that speed errors should not exceed 5 percent of the speed of the vessel or 0.5 knot, whichever is greater. Option D uses the same numbers but incorrectly states 'whichever is less,' which would impose a more restrictive standard not found in the regulation.

Cited:33 CFR §164.40

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