National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 72602: Deck officers, water transport
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. Below are the main duties, all 70 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 72602?
NOC 72602 is the code for deck officers, water transport in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer, Coast Guard vessel navigation officer, Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer and deck officer - water transport. It is a TEER 2 occupation (usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $41.36 an hour.
- NOC code
- 72602
- TEER
- 2: College diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years
- Broad category
- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $41.36 an hour
Job titles under NOC 72602
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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main job titles
- 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 pilot
- ship second mate
- ship third mate
- ship's captain
- ship's mate
- tugboat captain
All 70 job titles in the NOC index
apprentice master - minor waters, captain - water transport, Coast Guard vessel chief officer, Coast Guard vessel commanding officer, Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer, Coast Guard vessel navigation officer, Coast Guard vessel second officer, Coast Guard vessel second watchkeeping officer, Coast Guard vessel third officer, Coast Guard vessel third watchkeeping officer, Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer, commanding officer - water transport, deck officer - cadet, deck officer - water transport, dredge captain, dredge commanding officer, dredge mate, ferryboat captain, ferryboat first mate, ferryboat master, ferryboat operator, first mate - inland waters, foreign-going first mate, foreign-going second mate, harbour pilot, home trade first mate, home trade master, home trade mate, home trade second mate, hovercraft master, inland navigation mate, master - inland waters, master - minor waters, master - water transport, master mariner, mate - water transport, merchant navy mate, navigation officer - water transport, offshore drilling rig first mate, offshore rig captain, offshore rig commanding officer, passenger ship captain, pilot - water transport, river pilot, riverboat captain, second deck officer, second mate, second mate - inland waters, self-propelled barge captain, self-propelled barge deck officer, self-propelled drilling rig captain, self-propelled drilling rig first mate, self-propelled drilling rig master, self-propelled drilling rig mate, self-propelled oil rig deck officer, ship chief officer, ship first mate, ship junior mate, ship master, ship operation chief officer, ship pilot, ship second mate, ship third mate, ship watchkeeping mate, ship's captain, ship's mate, tugboat captain, tugboat master, tugboat skipper, watchkeeping officer - water transport.
Main duties of NOC 72602
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- 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.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of deck officer cadet program from an approved nautical institute or One to three years of experience as a member of a deck crew is required.
- A deck officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
- For ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.
Additional information
- Transport Canada administers a deck officer certification program, consisting of several levels. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
- Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
- Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.
Is NOC 72602 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 2 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 72602 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 72602 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $24.33 | $41.36 | $72.12 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $23.08 | $40.00 | $70.19 |
| Nova Scotia | $26.05 | $45.03 | $66.66 |
| New Brunswick | $23.63 | $40.01 | $70.08 |
| Quebec | $23.75 | $45.67 | $60.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $38.46 | $57.69 |
| Alberta | $28.78 | $44.92 | $62.71 |
| British Columbia | $23.50 | $42.00 | $60.50 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 72602 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 72602 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer?
NOC 72602, Deck officers, water transport, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 72602?
TEER 2. Usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 72602 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 2 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 72602 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 72602 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $41.36 an hour, with most wages between $24.33 and $72.12. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 72602 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.