2273 – 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 co-ordinate the activities of deck crews. This unit group also includes Canadian Coast Guard deck officers. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments.
Profile
Index of titles
Example titles
- Apprentice master – minor waters
- Captain – water transport
- Coast Guard vessel chief officer
- Coast Guard vessel commanding officer
- Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
- Coast Guard vessel second officer
- Coast Guard vessel second watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel third officer
- Coast Guard vessel third watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
- Commanding officer – water transport
- Deck officer – cadet
- Deck officer – water transport
- Dredge captain
- Dredge commanding officer
- Dredge mate
- Ferryboat captain
- Ferryboat first mate
- Ferryboat master
- Ferryboat operator
- First mate – inland waters
- Foreign-going first mate
- Foreign-going second mate
- Harbour pilot
- Home trade first mate
- Home trade master
- Home trade mate
- Home trade second mate
- Hovercraft master
- Inland navigation mate
- Launchman/woman
- Master – inland waters
- Master – minor waters
- Master – water transport
- Master mariner
- Mate – water transport
- Merchant navy mate
- Navigation officer – water transport
- Offshore drilling rig first mate
- Offshore rig captain
- Offshore rig commanding officer
- Passenger ship captain
- Pilot – water transport
- River pilot
- Riverboat captain
- Second deck officer
- Second mate
- Second mate – inland waters
- Self-propelled barge captain
- Self-propelled barge deck officer
- Self-propelled drilling rig captain
- Self-propelled drilling rig first mate
- Self-propelled drilling rig master
- Self-propelled drilling rig mate
- Self-propelled oil rig deck officer
- Ship chief officer
- Ship first mate
- Ship junior mate
- Ship master
- Ship operation chief officer
- Ship pilot
- Ship second mate
- Ship third mate
- Ship watchkeeping mate
- Ship’s captain
- Ship’s mate
- Tugboat captain
- Tugboat master
- Tugboat skipper
- Watchkeeping officer – water transport
- Waterman/woman
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- 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 co-ordinate the activities of deck crews
- Record vessel progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions in the ship’s log.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of deck officer cadet program from an approved nautical institute or one to three years of experience as a member of a deck crew is required.
- A deck officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
- For ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.
Additional information
- Transport Canada administers a deck officer certification program, consisting of several levels. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
- Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
- Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.
Exclusions
- Engineer officers, water transport (2274)
- Fishing masters and officers (8261)
- Shore captains (in 0731 Managers in transportation)
- Water transport deck and engine room crew (7532)