Think of each compartment number in the form A-B-C-D. For example, in compartment
03-31-3-L:
A=03
B=31
C=3
D=L
Follow the below instructions in order, eliminating the compartments that do not fit the description given before moving on to the next instruction. This will eliminate ALL the incorrect answers. This is the Navy, so nautical terms are used liberally.
It is the lowest deck on the ship.
It is the compartment furthest aft on this deck.
It is the port side compartment that is closest to the centerline.
It is used for hazardous chemical storage.
Again, there is only one right answer to the above descriptions.
While a wrong answer *MAY* get you the correct coordinates (making you lucky, rather than good), the right answer *WILL* give you the correct coordinates.
Once you have the only remaining compartment, run it through the following simple math conversions to obtain the coordinates.
North Coordinate: N 38 55.X
Again, think of the compartment format as A-B-C-D
Look for A in the table below.
Take the number next to it, and add it to B.
If the resulting number is greater than 999, ignore the left-most digit.
This is X.
For example, if A=03 and B=31, then you add 249+31=280, and your coordinates are N 38 55.280