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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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74201.02 – Deck crew, water transport

Deck crew, water transport, stand watch operate and maintain deck equipment and perform other deck and bridge duties aboard ships and self-propelled vessels under the direction of deck officers.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Deckhand
  • Seaman/woman

Core competencies

  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to identify and diagnose operational issues, conduct routine inspections and maintain equipment logs for the vessel
  • Operation and Control to operate navigation instruments, communication systems, safety equipment, deck machinery and cargo handling equipment
  • Depth Perception to accurately judge distances when maneuvering vessels, handling cargo and navigating through tight spaces
  • Gross Body Equilibrium to safely execute tasks such as navigating slippery deck surfaces, handling heavy equipment and securing cargo, reducing the risk of injury
  • Attention to Detail to consistently and accurately monitor equipment and navigational instruments, identifying and correcting potential issues or hazards promptly for safe and efficient vessel operation
  • Knowledge in Logistics to understand simple cargo handling, loading and unloading, safety protocols and securing cargo

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

  • Training and testing for various endorsements and certification, including the Marine Emergency Duty (MED) certificate, occur following employment as a deck crew member.
  • Senior positions in this unit group, such as able seaman/woman, require experience.
  • Progression to deck or ship engineer officer positions is possible with experience, additional training and deck officer certification by Transport Canada.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Deck officers, water transport (72602)
  • Engineer officers, water transport (72603)
  • Fishing vessel deckhands (84121)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

74 – Mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers

Sub-major group

742 – Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related workers

Minor group

7420 – Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related maintenance workers

Unit group

74201 – Water transport deck and engine room crew

Occupational profile

74201.02 – Deck crew, water transport

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.