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Boat operators

OaSIS code 75210.04

Boat operators, and owner-operators, operate small motorboats or watercraft to transport passengers or freight.

Overview

Also known as

  • Charter boat captain
  • Lighthouse keeper
  • Motorboat operator
  • Sightseeing boat operator
  • Water taxi captain

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate motorboats, launches, small ferry boats and other similar vessels to transport passengers or freight
  • Maintain boats and equipment on board, such as engines, winches, derricks, fire extinguishers and life preservers
  • May perform other duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports and harbours, patrolling beaches and measuring depth of water.

Additional information

  • There is little or no mobility among lock equipment operators, cable ferry operators and ferry terminal workers.
  • Mobility between boat operators in this unit group is possible.
  • Progression from boat operator positions to deck officer positions is possible with additional training, experience and certification.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Deck officers, water transport (72602)
  • Water transport deck and engine room crew (74201)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

5 – Occupations usually require short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Major group

75 – Helpers and labourers and other transport drivers, operators and labourers

Sub-major group

752 – Transport drivers, operators and labourers

Minor group

7521 – Water and rail transport operators and labourers and related occupations

Unit group

75210 – Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations

Occupational profile

75210.04 – Boat operators

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level
Developing Technical Instructions
3 - Moderate Level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously

Workplaces/employers

  • Canal, port and harbour authorities
  • Marine companies that provide sightseeing tours or water taxi services
  • Self-employed

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Depth Perception
5 - Highest Level
Glare Tolerance
5 - Highest Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Far Vision
4 - High Level
Gross Body Equilibrium
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCE

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Enterprising (E)

Enterprising occupations are characterized by the dominance of action-oriented activities to attain organizational or self-interest goals. They frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects, influencing, leading or mobilizing people, making decisions, and sometimes require risk taking and dealing with business.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Some secondary school education is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Master, Master Limited or Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) Certificate, issued by Transport Canada, is required for boat operators.
  • Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training is required for boat operators and crew members.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
2 - Intermediate Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Public Safety and Security
1 - Basic Level
Telecommunications
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

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.

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