Marine Transport, Traffic & Coast Guard Officers
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Water transport deck officers (72602) 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.
Engineer officers, water transport (72603), operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and co-ordinate the activities of engine room crews. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments.
Marine traffic regulators (72604) monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- ONET Online: Sailors & Marine Oilers - U.S. occupational information
- Canadian Coast Guard careers - Government of Canada overview of positions including: Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Officer and Electronics Technologist
- Deck Officer and Water Transportation Occupational Profile - WorkBC
- Day in a Life of a Marine Pilot - British Columbia Coast Pilots
- Life as a Canadian Coast Guard Officer Cadet - Canadian Coast Guard
- A Day in the Life of an Enlisted U.S. Coast Guard - The Princeton Review (U.S.)
- Seafarers Stories - from the Seafarers International Union of Canada
- Canadian Forces Career Profiles: Navy - Government of Canada
- Day in the Life of Royal Canadian Navy Sailors (video) - CityNews Toronto
- Profile: I am a Ship Captain (includes video) - career profile from Chevron
- Article: B.C.’s Wendy Williams named first Canadian woman to captain a major cruise ship - Nelson Star
Education
The University of Manitoba does not offer specialized training in marine engineering or marine traffic regulation or certification for deck officers. See the links below for training information. The Canadian Coast Guard College website outlines admissions requirements for their Officer Training Program.
Exploring Education Options
- Canadian Coast Guard College - training programs
- Canadian Association of Marine Training Institutes - Transport Canada approved programs
- Transport Canada Certification Resources - Certification for Seafarers
- Marine Training Program - Transport Canada - one goal of this program is to increase access to job opportunities for underrepresented groups in the marine sector, including women, Northerners, Inuit and Indigenous peoples
- Search Education Directories
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Canada) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- Canada's Best Jobs 2017 - Deck Officer (#16) - Canadian Business magazine
- British Columbia International Shipping Industry Labour Market Information (2017) - Vancouver International Maritime Centre
- Deck Officers, Water Transport Labour Market Information - Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
- Government of Canada - Rates of Pay:
- OpportuNext - salary range and job growth prospects - Manitoba
Professional Associations
Professional associations organize events and directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities are also available. This is a great way to learn and network.
- Seafarers International Union - Canada
- Canadian Marine Pilots Association
- Master Mariners of Canada
- The Nautical Institute
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Association of Canadian Port Authorities
- Association of BC Marine Industries - directory
- Canadian Ferry Association - Directory of Expertise
- Shipping Federation of Canada - members
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
External resources that will provide you with additional information about the occupation, areas of work and opportunities to build experience:
- Transport Canada - Marine Transportation - Government of Canada
- Chamber of Maritime Commerce
- Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada
- Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - volunteer water rescue and safety organization
- National Search and Rescue Program - Public Safety Canada
- Search and Rescue Volunteer Organization of Canada
- Search & Rescue Manitoba Volunteer Organization
- National Safe Boating Council
- Canada's Ocean Supercluster - industry-led collaborations for ocean health and economics
- International Maritime Organization - United Nations agency whose responsibilities include improvements in safety and security of international shipping, prevent pollution from ships, and facilitation of international maritime traffic