Job description Ship Watchkeeping Mate in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region

Find out what work is like for a ship watchkeeping mate in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602).

Deck officers, water transport

Description

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.

Work week duration

Deck officers, water transport usually work more than 40 hours per week.
More than 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Deck officers, water transport have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • 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
  • Record vessel progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions in the ship's log.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Keeping or regaining balance
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Deck officers, water transport are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Marine transportation companies
  • Federal government departments

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hazardous conditions
  • Outside, under cover
  • In an open vehicle or equipment
  • Extremely bright or inadequate lighting
  • Sound and noise

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 72602), and a list of similar occupations:

  • 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 first mate
  • ship pilot
  • ship's captain
  • ship second mate
  • ship's mate
  • ship third mate
  • tugboat captain

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Deck officers, water transport in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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