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Deck officers, water transport

Occupation · NOC 2021 72602 · Canada

NOC 2021 code
72602
TEER
2
Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
142
Median wage, Canada
C$41.36 per hour
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
102
NOC72602TEER 2
Year by year
Data as at 2026
OC<CANDECK<OFFICERS<WATER<TRANSPORT<<<<<<<<<
726027<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

About this occupation

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 coordinate 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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Example job titles

  • Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
  • Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
  • Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
  • deck officer - water transport
  • ferryboat master
  • master mariner
  • ship pilot
  • ship second mate
  • ship third mate
  • ship's captain
  • ship's mate
  • tugboat captain

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 coordinate the activities of deck crews

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.

Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)

Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.

Approved positions by year

15302016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1530201620182020202220242025
Data table
201625
201730
20182
201922
202014
20212
202217
202315
202410
20255
By province or territory
  1. Newfoundland and Labrador97
  2. Quebec27
  3. British Columbia15
  4. Ontario2
  5. Nova Scotia1
Employers with the most positions
  1. Subsea 7 Canada Inc.33
  2. Osauhing TS Shipping15
  3. DOF Subsea Canada Corp.14
  4. Fugro Canada Corp10
  5. Transocean Canada Drilling Company8
  6. Anglo Eastern Ship Managment Ltd8
  7. Desgagnés Marine Cargo Inc.7
  8. Bridgemans Crew Management LTD7
  9. Kiewit-Kvaerner Contractors6
  10. Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd.6
  11. Desgagnés Marine Petro Inc.4
  12. IT International Telecom2
  13. Maersk Supply Service Canada Ltd.2
  14. IT International Telecom Canada Inc.2
  15. OCÉAN REMORQUAGE TROIS-RIVIÉRES INC2
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)115
  2. Low-wage stream (TFWP)2

Work permits

Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).

YearTFWP permitsIMP permits
2026350
202511520
2024950
2023355
2022550
2021350
2020700
2019900
20181005
201715010
20161455
20151150

All work permits by year

80160201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
801602015201720192021202320252026
Data table
2015115
2016150
2017160
2018105
201990
202070
202135
202255
202340
202495
2025135
202635

Permanent residence

Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).

New permanent residents by year

352024
352024
Data table
20245
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Provincial Nominee Program35
  2. Federal Skilled Worker25

Wages

Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$24.33C$41.36C$72.12
AlbertaC$28.78C$44.92C$62.71
British ColumbiaC$23.50C$42.00C$60.50
New BrunswickC$23.63C$40.01C$70.08
Newfoundland and LabradorC$23.08C$40.00C$70.19
Nova ScotiaC$26.05C$45.03C$66.66
OntarioC$17.60C$38.46C$57.69
QuebecC$23.75C$45.67C$60.00
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
102
Vacancies advertised
186
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$35.00