Course Description

An in-depth study of the rivers, channels, and the aids to navigation in these rivers and channels. The focus will be on the rivers that make up the Great Lakes connecting bodies such as the St. Mary's, St. Clair, Detroit Rivers and the Welland Canal.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

3

Lecture Hours

3

Required Prerequisites

All prerequisites for all GLMA courses are satisfied by following the approved Course Sequence Guide and any deviation from this guide needs to be approved by the cadet's adviser.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Identify key characteristics used to navigate the Great Lakes river systems; distance, aids to navigation, common courses.
• Describe specialized knowledge of river systems (geographical and regulatory).

Application:

• Will construct a piloting manual for each of the three major river systems in the upper Great Lakes region.

Integration:

• Recognize where hydrodynamic effects could negatively affect a vessels passage.
• Combine knowledge of helm command techniques into their passage plan.

Human Dimension:

• Reflect upon their desire to pursue a career as a Maritime Pilot who navigates in severely restricted waters.

Caring - Civic Learning:

• Illustrate their understanding of the ethical use of a shared waterway.
• Recognize potential conflicts between vessel operations and the environment; including human interactions and/or property damage.

Learning How to Learn:

• Synthesize data from memory to create passage planning charts during timed evaluations.