Engineer Officers, Water Transport

(NOC 2274)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Engineer officers, water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and supporting equipment aboard ships and other vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. They work for marine transportation companies and federal government departments.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 75 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$26.00

Minimum

$42.00

Median

$48.72

Maximum

Annual Pay

$22,762

Minimum

$80,919

Median

$158,330

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Engineer officers, water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and supporting equipment aboard ships and other vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. They work for marine transportation companies and federal government departments.

Job duties

Engineer officers, water transport:

  • Run main engines, machinery, and all supporting equipment aboard ships like boilers, steering and deck machinery, motors, pumps, generators, and condensers.
  • Stand engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery, and all supporting equipment.
  • Inspect, maintain, and repair engines, machinery, and all supporting equipment.
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of the engine room crew.
  • Maintain records and prepare reports on engine performance and failures.

Sample job titles

  • chief engineer - water transport
  • engineer officer - water transport
  • fishing vessel engineer officer
  • offshore drilling rig marine engineer officer
  • second engineer - water transport
  • ship engineer officer
  • third engineer - water transport
  • watchkeeping engineer

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 important. Mechanical skills may be helpful.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • A three-year cadet program in marine engineering from an approved marine training institute or about three years of experience as an engine room crew member and six months of formal training at an approved marine training institute or approximately 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.
  • A marine engineer officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.

Other considerations

  • Employment opportunities will mainly depend upon export levels and the ability of shipping companies to be competitive with other forms of transportation. Fourth Class Marine Engineer certificate is the entry level of a four-level certification program administered by Transport Canada. 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.

By the numbers

Quick look

340

employed in 2016

95.6%

employed full-time

2.9%

self employed

4.4%
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95.6%
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54.5

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
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80%
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42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

29.4%

Halifax

$100,046 median annual income
27.9%

Cape Breton

$72,980 median annual income
22.1%

Southern

$85,123 median annual income
11.8%

North Shore

$77,224 median annual income
8.8%

Annapolis Valley

$88,575 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

38.6%

Transportation and warehousing

38.6%

Public administration

9.1%

Manufacturing

9.1%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

4.5%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

What is the age of Employment?

32.0%

55-64

24.0%

45-54

13.0%

65+

13.0%

35-44

10.0%

25-34

7.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

37.3%

College Diploma

$87,496 median annual income
23.9%

Trade Certification

$77,114 median annual income
16.4%

Bachelor

$92,474 median annual income
9.0%

High school

$53,271 median annual income
9.0%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$88,102 median annual income

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair outboard and inboard engines, test, maintain, and repair steering devices and electrical systems, repair hulls and vessel components, make and maintain sails, and repair and balance propellers and drive shafts.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Nautical Science/Merchant Marine Officer

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to serve as captains, executive officers, engineers and ranking mates on commercially licensed inland, coastal and ocean-going vessels. They include courses in maritime traditions and law, maritime policy, economics and management of commercial marine operations, basic naval architecture and engineering, shipboard power systems engineering, crew supervision, and administrative procedures.

Institutions providing this program

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Engineer - Motor, Ship, or Steamship

Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Marine Safety Services
Dartmouth, NS
Watchkeeping Engineer

Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Marine Safety Services
Dartmouth, NS

Contacts

Canadian Coast Guard College
Sydney, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.