NOC 75210: Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations

Boat and cable ferry operators and workers in related occupations operate lock gates, bridges and similar equipment along canal systems and operate cable ferries and ferry terminals. This unit group also includes boat operators, and owner-operators, who operate small motorboats or watercraft to transport passengers or freight. They are employed by the federal government, cable ferry companies, ferry terminals, marine companies and canal, port or harbour authorities. Owner-operators of small boats are self-employed.

Express Entry eligibility

• Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): no, TEER 5 does not count for Express Entry.
• Canadian Experience Class: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
• High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): no. No high-wage add-on, and a job offer in it earns no CRS points.

TEER 5: Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

NOC 75210 is not on any of IRCC’s occupation category lists. You can still be invited in general, Canadian Experience Class or other program draws if you qualify through other experience.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 75210

None. Work in TEER 4 and 5 occupations earns no Canadian work points in the CRS.

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Lock equipment operators
• 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.
• Cable ferry operators
• 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.
• Ferry terminal workers
• Operate controls to adjust landing bridge, position or remove gangplank, open or close doors and gates, and secure or remove docking devices
• Signal passengers and motor vehicles to embark and disembark
• May collect tickets or fares from passengers.
• Boat operators
• 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.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

• bridgemaster
• cable ferry operator
• canal lock operator
• charter boat operator
• ferry terminal worker
• launch master
• linesman/woman - canal lock system
• loading bridge operator
• lockmaster
• motorboat operator
• scow captain
• sightseeing boat operator
• small craft operator
• water taxi operator

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.

Similar jobs with a different code

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