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Marine pilot
  • Marine pilot

Careers at Sea

Marine pilot

Marine Pilots are the veritable guardians of the St. Lawrence River and are river navigation specialists.

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Description

As a Marine Pilot, your main role is to guide the ships that travel on the river upstream from Les Escoumins. It is your knowledge of local currents, obstacles and characteristics that will allow you to carry out your tasks with ease. You will be working on specific sections, and you will sometimes have to deal with inclement weather and difficult navigating conditions, at any time, day or night!

On the bridge, each manoeuvre has to be precise and well-calculated. Decisions are made based on your knowledge of local currents, tides, the width of shipping channels, water depth and many other factors. You will play a critical role in protecting the river and in the maritime economy.

Are you interested in taking on this challenge? After training in navigating and a few years at sea as a Senior Officer or Captain, you will be eligible to become an Apprentice Pilot. The two-year practical training is arduous, but it prepares you for an extraordinary and highly-rewarding career.

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Detailed profile

Detailed profile

  • Job environment

    At sea

  • Main tasks
    and responsibilities

    Guide vessels on the waters of the St. Lawrence by assisting the master mariner with various manoeuvres, while adapting to navigating conditions, the characteristics of the area and the weather

  • Prerequisites

    Senior Navigating Officer certification and several years of seafaring service

  • Training

    Practical pilotage training over a 2-year period and specific tests

  • Schedule

    Variable, based on the passage of ships

  • Salary range

    $125,000 and higher

  • Distinctive element

    All foreign-flagged ships and most Canadian ships must use a Pilot’s services when navigating the St. Lawrence River’s waters upstream of Les Escoumins.

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