Secrets of the St. Lawrence

The Secrets of the St. Lawrence (PDF; 1.79 MB)

The St Lawrence is one of the largest airways in the world. The large air masses that generally cross the continent from West to East also travel the St Lawrence.

If you consider that both water and air masses literally hug the ground and follow all its contours and surfaces, it's easy to understand just how much variety there can be in wind and sea conditions.

In both cases, you must understand how they will behave in different situations. But the water forms a screen that hides its secrets, and the air, well, it's simply invisible!

For mariners, the wind is all important. And that wind is the result of shifting air masses, rising warm air currents and incoming cold air currents, as they rush up against, around and down obstacles.

The 6 dimensions

Every mariner must be aware of what there is to the left, the right, behind, in front, under the water and in the sky. It's a 6-dimensional environment!

And like truckers, seasoned mariners can tell from the sea and sky where the weather conditions are generally better or worse.

They have learned some of the sea's secrets by penetrating the mysteries of its bays and capes.

The trio

For safe and pleasant sailing, you need:

• to know the wind and sea conditions
• to have the most up-to-date marine charts and sailing directions available
• to pay attention to the most recent weather forecasts