NOC 75210Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations

TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education

NOC 75210 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations. It is classified TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education, which does not meet the skill requirement for Express Entry's federal programs. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.

Express Entry eligible: No
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 75 › 752 › 7521

Definition

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.

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.

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

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Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, NOC 75210 encompasses boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations. These TEER 5 professionals operate small boats, cable ferries, and related vessels to transport passengers, vehicles, and cargo across rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. Key duties in this unit group include steering vessels, operating machinery, maintaining logs, securing moorings, and operating canal locks or bridges. Typical job titles include ferry boat operator, cable ferry operator, water taxi operator, and lock master.

Employment requirements for NOC 75210 typically include some secondary school education and on-the-job training. Depending on the vessel's size and purpose, operators of commercial motorized boats may require a Master of a Small Vessel certificate or other specific marine safety certificates issued by Transport Canada. For Canadian immigration, TEER 5 occupations are primarily eligible for targeted provincial pathways, such as specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Frequently asked questions

Is NOC 75210 eligible for Express Entry?

Not for Express Entry's federal skilled programs — Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations is TEER 5, and TEER 4–5 occupations don't meet that skill level. Provincial streams and other pathways may still be open; run the eligibility check to see which.

What education or training does NOC 75210 usually require?

Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations is classified as TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.

Is this occupation regulated in Québec?

Yes — Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations is regulated in Québec, so practising there requires recognition from the relevant professional body, and Québec immigration programs take this into account.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.