75210 – Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations
TEER 5Occupations usually needing a short work demonstration and no formal education
Lead statement
Lock equipment operators operate lock gates, bridges and similar equipment along canal systems.
Main duties
- Operate telecommunication equipment or use portable loudspeakers to direct movements of vessels in lock area
- Operate controls to open or close lock gates
- Operate controls to raise, lower or turn bridges
- Observe progress of vessels passing through locks.
- Signal passengers and motor vehicles to embark and disembark
- Operate cable ferry across narrow waterway
- Perform routine maintenance and repairs to engine, cables and winches.
- Operate controls to adjust landing bridge, position or remove gangplank, open or close doors and gates, and secure or remove docking devices
- May collect tickets or fares from passengers.
- 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.
Employment requirements
- 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.
Example job titles
lockmaster · bridgemaster · lock operator · canal lock tender · power cable ferry operator · cable ferry deckhand · cable ferry operator · manual cable ferry operator · ferry terminal worker · loading bridge operator · ferry terminal attendant · lighthouse keeper · motor launch operator · launch operator · motorboat operator · motor boat operator · sightseeing boat operator · water taxi captain · water taxi master · charter boat master · charter boat captain
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $20.00 | $27.64 | $47.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.08 | $27.00 | $39.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.49 | $27.67 | $38.99 |
| New Brunswick | $18.11 | $26.46 | $37.12 |
| Quebec | $21.93 | $27.75 | $37.65 |
| Ontario | $19.90 | $27.59 | $36.22 |
| Alberta | $21.49 | $26.35 | $30.34 |
| British Columbia | $21.00 | $29.55 | $47.50 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.