Deck Officers, Water Transport

Nature of work

Deck officers, water transport, operate and command ships to carry passengers and cargo on oceans and coastal and inland waters, and supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews. This group also includes Canadian Coast Guard deck officers. They work for marine transportation companies and federal government departments.

Job duties

Deck officers:

• Command and operate ships or other vessels like barges or oil rigs to carry passengers and cargo.
• Command and operate coast guard ships 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 boats 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.

Sample job titles

• captain - water transport
• deck officer - water transport
• ferryboat operator
• master - water transport
• master mariner
• mate - water transport
• navigation officer - water transport
• ship first mate
• ship pilot
• tugmaster

Skills

• You should enjoy being at sea. A sense of responsibility and strong leadership qualities are needed. You must be in good health and meet eyesight and colour vision requirements. Problem-solving and decision-making skills are also important. Mechanical skills may also be helpful.

Job requirements

• High 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.

Other considerations

• Transport Canada administers a deck officer certification program, consisting of several levels. Movement from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing. Movement between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification. Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.

Regulations

Contacts

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