Objective

The goal is to enhance safety and productivity in the maritime working environment by instilling the knowledge and skills reflected in the Coast Guard exam topic table. Applicants who successfully complete this course and present our Certificate of Training to the U.S. Coast Guard within one year of the completion of training, will satisfy the Navigation General (Q425) and Navigation Problems (Q426) examination requirements for a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Western Rivers; provided they have successfully completed our Apprentice Mate (Steersman) HOUSTM-31 course or hold a license as Master, Mate, or Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Near Coastal or Inland or have satisfied the examination requirements for a license as Master, Mate, or Apprentice Mate (Steersman) Near Coastal or Inland, within the previous 12 months.

Target Group

Any applicant who has successfully completed your Western Rivers Navigation (HOUSTM-552) course within one year of application will satisfy: The Western Rivers navigation professional examination requirements of: Navigation General: Western Rivers, Navigation Problems: Chart Plot; For adding the route Western Rivers to any towing endorsement as follows: Master of Towing Vessels; OR Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels; OR Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels.

Prerequisites

Students must be able to speak and read in English.

Examination

In order to successfully complete this course, each student must obtain a grade percentage of not less 70% on the Navigation General examination and 90% on the Chart Plot examination.

Course Contents

Content covered in this course are:
- Western Rivers System
- Signals for Approaching Drawbridges
- Lights on Bridges
- Navigation Regulations for Locks and Dams
- Terminology on Western Rivers
- Aids to Navigation on Western Rivers
- Light List
- Corps of Engineer Map
- Watchkeeping - Navigation Safety Regulations
- Navigation and Position Determination
- Principles of Magnetic Compasses
- Meteorology and Oceanography