Careers

Do you want to be a Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officer?

Would you like to help vessels in distress? Prevent them from colliding? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment? Then, we may have the job for you!

What do they do?

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) officers with the Canadian Coast Guard provide one of the first responses to vessels in distress. They oversee the safety of waterways within Canada's 200 mile limit by communicating with vessels, issuing weather bulletins and monitoring marine traffic to ensure that vessels entering and transiting within Canadian waters are in compliance with Canadian Acts and Regulations. The safe and orderly flow of ships is highly dependent on the traffic regulating and alerting network provided by MCTS officers. These officers carefully monitor vessel movements to reduce the probability of accidents and can take action to prevent collisions, groundings or strikings.

The job is challenging, fast-paced and always interesting, but can be stressful and demanding. You speak with vessel captains and crews in all kinds of situations and are often the first contact in a marine emergency. During a marine emergency, you act as a go-between for Search and Rescue and the vessel in danger and are often the voice those in danger look to for advice and comfort. You need to be able to multi-task and manage many issues at once. This career involves shift work because MCTS centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

How do I become a MCTS Officer?

To qualify as a MCTS officer you must have a high school diploma and pass a written aptitude test and interview.

There are three phases of training. Phase one: Learn how a MCTS centre works. The trainee does not participate in the duties of a MCTS officer, but watches others while they work. Phase two: The trainee attends the Coast Guard College in Sydney, Nova Scotia for six months of classroom and simulator time. Phase three: On-the-job training at an assigned MCTS centre. The training takes from three to six months, depending on the centre's activity and the needs of the individual.

After successful completion of the training process, the graduate becomes a certified MCTS officer.

Individuals interested in the Canadian Coast Guard College should visit the college website for more information at www.cgc.gc.ca.

Openings for jobs with the Canadian Coast Guard are advertised through the Public Service Commission website at www.jobs.gc.ca.

Spotlight on... Valerie Drover, MCTS officer, Port aux Basques

"I am the lifeline mariners depend upon for important marine information and when they find themselves in dire need," Valerie says. "Each day brings with it new situations and challenges, including answering distress calls, regulating marine traffic and communicating marine information. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that I am contributing to the safety of life at sea."

This document is also available for download or viewing as a PDF version (1.5MB).

Published By:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications Branch
P.O. Box 5667
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1

DFO/2009-1610
Catalogue Number: Fs154-7/18-2010
ISBN: 978-1-100-51370-6
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2010