Water Transport Deck and Engine Room Crew

(NOC 7532)

in All Trades and Transportation

Workers in this group stand watch, use, and maintain deck equipment, complete other deck and bridge duties and help ship engineer officers to run, maintain and repair engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships or self-propelled vessels. They work for marine transportation companies and federal government departments.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 25 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.34

Minimum

$24.04

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$19,011

Minimum

$58,920

Median

$93,907

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Workers in this group stand watch, use, and maintain deck equipment, complete other deck and bridge duties and help ship engineer officers to run, maintain and repair engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships or self-propelled vessels. They work for marine transportation companies and federal government departments.

Job duties

Workers in this group:

  • Stand watch and steer ship or self-propelled vessel under the direction of the officer on watch.
  • Use, maintain, and repair deck equipment like winches, cranes, derricks, and hawsers.
  • Help ship engineer officers complete routine maintenance work and repair to ship's engine, machinery, and auxiliary equipment.
  • Monitor engine, machinery and equipment indicators, record variables and report abnormalities to ship engineer officer on watch.
  • Lubricate moving parts of engines, machinery, and auxiliary equipment.
  • Use and maintain off-loading liquid pumps and valves.
  • Clean engine parts and keep engine room clean.
  • Clean, chip and paint deck surfaces.
  • Handle mooring lines, and splice and repair ropes, wire cables and cordage.

Sample job titles

  • deckhand
  • engine room crew member - ship
  • marine engineering mechanic
  • marine engineering technician
  • mechanical assistant - water transport
  • seaman/woman
  • small vessel machinery operator

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must be able to work methodically, take direction, work as a member of a team, and carry out instructions given by supervisors. On occasion, protective clothing, goggles, and safety boots must be worn. In these jobs, you may be exposed to noise and fumes. For some jobs, you should be willing to travel long distances and for extended periods of time.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education is required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

  • Training and testing for various endorsements and certification, including the Marine Emergency Duty (MED) certificate, occur following employment as a deck crew member. Senior positions in this group like able seaman/woman require experience. Movement to deck or ship engineer officer positions is possible with experience, additional training and deck officer certification by Transport Canada.

By the numbers

Quick look

430

employed in 2016

94.2%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

7.0%
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93%
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50.6

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
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94.7%
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46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.5%

Halifax

$64,831 median annual income
23.0%

Southern

$54,146 median annual income
17.2%

Cape Breton

$63,219 median annual income
12.6%

North Shore

$48,241 median annual income
4.6%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

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

46.8%

Transportation and warehousing

35.5%

Public administration

8.1%

Manufacturing

3.2%

Professional, scientific and technical services

3.2%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

26.0%

45-54

22.0%

55-64

18.0%

35-44

14.0%

25-34

11.0%

15-24

9.0%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

30.2%

College Diploma

$66,117 median annual income
29.1%

High school

$62,571 median annual income
24.4%

Trade Certification

$42,434 median annual income
15.1%

Less than high school

$48,353 median annual income

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Small Vessel Machinery Operator

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

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Marine Safety Services
Dartmouth, NS
No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.