NOC 72603 · TEER Level 2

Engineer officers, water transport

Engineer officers, water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews

Also known as:apprentice marine engineer officerassistant engineer - water transportchief engineer - water transportchief marine engineer - water transportCoast Guard vessel chief engineerCoast Guard vessel first watchkeeping engineerBarge EngineerDeck EngineerEngineerEngineering Watch OfficerEquipment Maintenance Marine EngineerEquipment Operating EngineerFerry EngineerFire Boat Engineer
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Moderate

Market Demand

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TEER 2

Skill Level

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BC, NL, QC

Top Provinces

What They Do

  • Operate main engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment aboard ships, such as boilers, steering and deck machinery, motors, pumps, generators and condensers
  • Stand engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
  • Inspect and conduct maintenance and emergency repairs to engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of the engine room crew
  • Maintain records and prepare reports on engine performance and failures.

Qualifications

  • checkCompletion of secondary school is required.
  • checkCompletion of a three-year cadet program in marine engineering from an approved marine training institute orapproximately three years of experience as an engine room crew member and six months of formal training at an approved marine training institute orapproximately three years of experience as an engine mechanic and six months of experience as an engine room crew member are required for certification as a fourth class marine engineer.
  • checkA marine engineer officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.

Market Outlook by Province

BC

British Columbia

The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about engineer officers, water transport in British Columbia: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 60%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 19%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 14% 60% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 40% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.10% of engineer officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 25% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 42% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 12% for all occupations

Moderate

Outlook

NL

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.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.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 engineer officers, water transport in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 500 people work in this occupation. Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 486, 487, 493): 36%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 28%Water transportation (NAICS 483): 21%Ship and Boat Building (NAICS 3366): 6%Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 91% compared to 83% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations38% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 62% 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 38 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.6% of engineer officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 8% 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: 8% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 66% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Moderate

Outlook

QC

Quebec

The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about engineer officers, water transport in Quebec: Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 485-486, 487, 493): 46%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 6%Utilities (NAICS 22): 5%Construction (NAICS 23): 5% 57% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 42% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of engineer officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 39% compared to 19% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 45% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

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.

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Express Entry (FSW)

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Canadian Experience Class

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Provincial Nominee Programs

infoMay require additional criteria

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Top Companies Hiring

Organizations with the most NOC 72603 openings right now.

Seaspan

Seaspan

3 active roles · Kitimat, BC · North Vancouver, BC

BC Ferries

BC Ferries

2 active roles · Delta, BC · Thetis Island, BC

Compagnie Ma

Compagnie Maritime et Services Portuaires au Canada | Groupe Océan

2 active roles · Hamilton, ON

Ocean Group

Ocean Group

2 active roles · Vancouver, BC

Government o

Government of Nova Scotia

1 active role · LaHave, NS

Ontario Ship

Ontario Shipyards

1 active role · St. Catharines, ON

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Core Competencies

Repairing and Troubleshooting

to effectively maintain and overhaul complex marine machinery and systems and as well have exceptional troubleshooting skills to quickly identify and resolve technical issues under pressure

Preventative Maintenance

to systematically assess, diagnose and address potential issues in marine machinery and systems for optimal operational performance, improved safety and prolonged equipment lifespan.

Hearing Sensitivity

to detect and interpret subtle sounds related to machinery operation, navigation signals and potential hazards

Control of Settings

to set controls of main engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment aboard ships such as boilers, steering and deck machinery

Attention to Detail

to meticulously monitor navigational instruments, conduct thorough machinery inspections and adhere to safety protocols

Knowledge in Mechanics and Machinery

to understand operating and maintaining marine engines, mechanical systems and auxiliary equipment, for vessel safety and performance

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