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
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
Data table
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
- Subsea 7 Canada Inc.33
- Osauhing TS Shipping15
- DOF Subsea Canada Corp.14
- Fugro Canada Corp10
- Transocean Canada Drilling Company8
- Anglo Eastern Ship Managment Ltd8
- Desgagnés Marine Cargo Inc.7
- Bridgemans Crew Management LTD7
- Kiewit-Kvaerner Contractors6
- Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd.6
- Desgagnés Marine Petro Inc.4
- IT International Telecom2
- Maersk Supply Service Canada Ltd.2
- IT International Telecom Canada Inc.2
- OCÉAN REMORQUAGE TROIS-RIVIÉRES INC2
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).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 0 |
| 2025 | 115 | 20 |
| 2024 | 95 | 0 |
| 2023 | 35 | 5 |
| 2022 | 55 | 0 |
| 2021 | 35 | 0 |
| 2020 | 70 | 0 |
| 2019 | 90 | 0 |
| 2018 | 100 | 5 |
| 2017 | 150 | 10 |
| 2016 | 145 | 5 |
| 2015 | 115 | 0 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 115 |
| 2016 | 150 |
| 2017 | 160 |
| 2018 | 105 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 95 |
| 2025 | 135 |
| 2026 | 35 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2024 | 5 |
- Provincial Nominee Program35
- Federal Skilled Worker25
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$24.33 | C$41.36 | C$72.12 |
| Alberta | C$28.78 | C$44.92 | C$62.71 |
| British Columbia | C$23.50 | C$42.00 | C$60.50 |
| New Brunswick | C$23.63 | C$40.01 | C$70.08 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$23.08 | C$40.00 | C$70.19 |
| Nova Scotia | C$26.05 | C$45.03 | C$66.66 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$38.46 | C$57.69 |
| Quebec | C$23.75 | C$45.67 | C$60.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 102
- Vacancies advertised
- 186
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$35.00
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more