Transportation officers and controllers

How to become a water transport Deck officer

Official title: Deck officers, water transport

Also called: Ship chief officer, Second deck officer, Deck officer - cadet, Master - minor waters, Master - inland waters, Mate - water transport, Pilot - water transport, Master - water transport, Captain - water transport, Dredge commanding officer, First mate - inland waters, Second mate - inland waters

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.

Main tasks

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

How to become one

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.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 49% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Marine transportation; Business/commerce, general; Criminal justice and corrections.
Licence or registration: For ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $80,652 a year The middle half earn $62,400 to $105,300.
About 6,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 6,700 are projected by 2033. (+8.1%)
Projected labour market to 2033: balance.

Questions people ask

How do I become a water transport Deck officer?

How much does a water transport Deck officer earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $80,652 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $62,400 to $105,300.

Is a water transport Deck officer a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2033, from about 6,200 to about 6,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a water transport Deck officer?

Usually not. Only 18% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03