Deck officers, water transport
Deck officers, water transport, operate and command ships or self-propelled vessels to transport passengers and cargo on oceans and coastal and inland waters, and supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews. This unit group also includes Canadian Coast Guard deck officers.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
ON, NL, PE
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Command and operate ships or other self-propelled vessels, such as barges or oil rigs, to transport passengers and cargo
- Command and operate coast guard vessels to provide ice-breaking and search and rescue services, and to maintain control over ships operating in Canadian waters
- Board vessels at berth or from pilot boats to advise ships' captains on the course to steer for safe passage into and out of ports, seaways or other waterways under pilotage authority
- Plan and execute safe navigational passage using navigational aids
- Determine geographical position using navigational instruments, maps and charts
- Guide vessels in rivers, canals, and other confined or hazardous waters and waterways
- Maintain vessels' navigational instruments and equipment
- Direct and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews
- Record vessel progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions in the ship's log.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is required.
- checkCompletion of deck officer cadet program from an approved nautical institute orone to three years of experience as a member of a deck crew is required.
- checkA deck officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
- checkFor ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.
Market Outlook by Province
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Good for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Ontario: Approximately 750 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 70%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 27% 53% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 81% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 19% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 22% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 41% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 23% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Newfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Good for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.Major employers of this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador are ferries, supply ship companies for coastal communities and the offshore oil industry, and the coast guard. Marine projects occasionally result in a larger-than-usual number of openings.Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 1,200 people work in this occupation. Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Water transportation (NAICS 483): 74%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 25% 59% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 41% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 94% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 6% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 60% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 14% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Prince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 66%Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 483, 486, 487, 493): 34% 50% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 50% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 32 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.38% of deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 25% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 50% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
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BC Ferries
1 active role · Langdale, BC
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Search Deck officers, water transportarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Operation and Control
to skillfully maneuver and operate complex watercraft, including navigation equipment, propulsion and steering mechanisms in varying conditions such as adverse weather, tight docking situations, or congested waters
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
to continuously observe vessel systems, machinery and navigation equipment, detecting any irregularities or malfunctions and taking timely corrective actions
Spatial Orientation
to accurately navigate and maneuver vessels, assess environmental factors and determine the ship's position relative to other objects, hazards and navigational aids
Far Vision
to clearly see and identify objects, hazards and signals at long distances, for safe navigation, avoidance of collisions and precise vessel positioning in varying weather and light conditions
Leadership
to demonstrate strong decision-making skills, the ability to effectively coordinate and manage crew members and maintain authority during high-pressure situations
Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
to understand and expertly handle the operation, coordination and oversight of advanced navigation systems, propulsion machinery and auxiliary equipment, ensuring optimal performance and safety
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