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Fishing vessel deckhands

OaSIS code 84121.00

Fishing vessel deckhands perform a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing voyages, and maintain fishing vessels.

Overview

Also known as

  • Fishing vessel crewman/woman
  • Fishing vessel deckhand
  • Fishing vessel icer
  • Fishing vessel netmender
  • Seiner deckhand
  • Trawlerman/woman

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate fishing gear to catch fish and other marine life
  • Sort, return protected species to the water, clean and pack fish in ice and stow catch in hold
  • Repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment
  • Clean deck surfaces and fish hold
  • Handle anchors and mooring lines during docking and undocking procedures
  • May steer vessels to and from fishing areas
  • May prepare and cook meals for crew members.

Additional information

  • Fishing vessel deckhands may become skippers upon acquiring an entry licence and a boat.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands may progress to watchkeeper or mate positions with additional training.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Deck officers, water transport (72602)
  • Fishing masters and officers (83120)
  • Fishermen/women (83121)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

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

Major group

84 – Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production

Sub-major group

841 – Workers in natural resources and fisheries

Minor group

8412 – Workers in agriculture and fishing occupations

Unit group

84121 – Fishing vessel deckhands

Occupational profile

84121.00 – Fishing vessel deckhands

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
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Mechanical Maintenance
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
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
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

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

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Establishments that operate commercial fishing vessels
  • Self-employed fishermen/women

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
Dynamic Strength
5 - Highest Level
Far Vision
5 - Highest Level
Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
5 - Highest Level
Glare Tolerance
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Equipment and Tool Selection
2 - Low Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
2 - Low Level
Management of Material Resources
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
3 - Important
Concern for Others
3 - 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: R

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.

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

  • There are no specific educational requirements.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Marine Emergency Duties certificate is required by Transport Canada.
  • A deckhand training program may be required.
  • Trawlermen/women require at least one year of experience.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands require a commercial fishing licence.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Biology
1 - Basic Level
Geoscience
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Livestock, Farm Animals & Wildlife
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
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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