How to become a water transport deck and engine room crew
Official title: Water transport deck and engine room crew
Also called: Marine engine oiler, Ship engine room greaser, Boatswain - water transport, Engine room greaser - marine, Engine room crew member - ship, Helmsman/woman - water transport, Engine room greaser - water transport, Ship engine room mechanical assistant, Mechanical assistant - water transport, Ship engine and boiler room crew member, Engine room mechanical assistant - ships, Deckhand
Water transport deck and engine room crew stand watch, operate and maintain deck equipment, perform other deck and bridge duties and assist ship engineer officers to operate, maintain and repair engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships or self-propelled vessels. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments.
Main tasks
- Deck crew - water transport
- Stand watch and steer ship or self-propelled vessel under the direction of the officer on watch
- Operate, maintain and repair deck equipment such as winches, cranes, derricks and hawsers
- Clean, chip and paint deck surfaces
- Handle mooring lines, and splice and repair ropes, wire cables and other cordage
- Load, discharge and secure ship cargo
- Engine room crew - water transport
- Assist ship engineer officers in performing routine maintenance work and repair to ship's engine, machinery and auxiliary equipment
How to become one
Some secondary school education is required. On-the-job training is provided.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $54,600 a year The middle half earn $44,109 to $68,445.
- About 5,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,900 are projected by 2033. (+7.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Railway yard and track maintenance workers
- Air transport ramp attendants
- Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers
- Utility maintenance workers
- Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a water transport deck and engine room crew?
Some secondary school education is required. On-the-job training is provided.
How much does a water transport deck and engine room crew earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $54,600 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $44,109 to $68,445.
Is a water transport deck and engine room crew a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2033, from about 5,500 to about 5,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a water transport deck and engine room crew?
Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
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