APPRENTICE MARINE PILOTS

The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority operates in the interest of safety a marine pilotage service in all Canadian waters in the Provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and in Quebec south of the northern entrance to the St. Lambert Lock.

The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority is currently recruiting eligible candidates for the following pilotage districts in order to train them to become licensed marine pilots:

• Competition number LO-2027-01 – Lake Ontario District (waters and harbours of Lake Ontario and the navigable waters within the limits of the Port of Churchill, Manitoba).

• Competition number D2-2027-01 – International District no. 2 (waters of the Welland Canal between Port Weller and Port Colborne, Ontario, Lake Erie and the waters of the connecting channels between Lake Erie and Lake Huron).

• Competition number D3-2027-01 – International District no. 3 (waters of Lake Huron north of latitude 43° 05.5' N and the waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior, including St. Mary's River and Georgian Bay).

Apprentices must successfully complete the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority apprentice pilot training program in order to be recommended by the training committee for evaluation by an examination board. An apprentice becomes a licensed pilot following successful evaluation by the Board of examiners. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

2. Hold at a minimum one of the following Canadian certificates of competency:

• Master Mariner;

• Master, Near Coastal;

• Master 3 000 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal;

• Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal;

• Chief Mate;

• Chief Mate, Near Coastal;

• Master 3 000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic.

   

3. Have served at sea in the last five (5) years:

• for at least 12 months as ship’s captain while holding one of the above-mentioned certificates; or

• for at least 24 months as officer in charge of a navigational watch while holding one of the above-mentioned certificates.

4. Hold a valid Marine Medical Certificate issued by Transport Canada indicating the capacity to carry out pilotage duties.

5. Hold a restricted radio operator’s certificate (ROC-MC) or a valid General radio operator’s certificate (GOC) issued under the Radiocommunication Act.

6. Hold the following training certificates:

• Simulated Electronic Navigation, Level II; and

• Bridge Resource Management.

7. Speak and understand English sufficiently well to effectively carry out pilotage duties for the Lake Ontario and International District no. 2.

8. Successfully complete a “Character profile” test.

The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority is committed to building a skilled and diverse workplace reflective of Canadian society.  We treat all employees and job applicants fairly and with dignity and respect. The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority uses an individual’s qualifications, skills and achievements as the basis for employment-related decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits and conditions of employment. We promote employment equity and encourage applicants to complete the Self-declaration Form if they belong to one of the designated groups (Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, women) when they apply. 

 The self-declaration form is available on our website at: Careers | Great Lakes Pilotage Authority

HOW TO APPLY

Interested individuals should send their application indicating the competition number(s), along with a resume specifying their qualifications and experience, copies of all supporting documentation demonstrating that they meet each of the requirements listed in items 1 to 6 above to:

Human Resources

Great Lakes Pilotage Authority

1950 Montreal Road

Cornwall, Ontario K6H 6L2

Or by email to: humanresourcesglpa-apgl.com

Applications must include all required copies of supporting documentation at the time of submission. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Applications must be received no later than December 11, 2026.