The Vancouver Marine Careers Expo will make port at the Shipyards in North Vancouver on Sept. 26, bringing a roster of federal and private marine employers together for a free, one-day event aimed at anyone considering a career on the water. The expo runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes public ship tours, equipment demonstrations and interactive exhibits.
Direct access to maritime employers
Attendees will be able to meet representatives from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, alongside industry partners such as BC Ferries, HaiSea Marine, BC Coast Pilots and the Seafarers International Union of Canada. The event is designed to connect local students, jobseekers and curious residents with hands-on information about roles ranging from seafaring and engineering to fisheries science and port operations.
Ship tours and safety notes
Vessels open for public viewing include the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel HMCS Max Bernays and the Canadian Coast Guard’s offshore fisheries and science vessel CCGS Sir John Franklin. Attendees hoping to tour the ships are reminded that closed-toe shoes are required; open-toe footwear will not be permitted on board for safety reasons.
- What: Vancouver Marine Careers Expo — ship tours, demos, exhibits
- When: Sept. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Where: Shipyards, North Vancouver
- Cost: Free and open to the public
Why it matters to North Vancouver
North Vancouver’s waterfront is more than a backdrop for development and recreation: it is a working marine and port ecosystem that supports local jobs and regional supply chains. Events like the careers expo make the industry visible to residents who might otherwise only observe shipping and ferry traffic from a distance. For young people weighing post-secondary options, or for workers considering a mid-career change, the expo provides an opportunity to ask about certifications, training pathways and entry-level positions without an appointment.
| Organisation | Role at Expo |
|---|---|
| Royal Canadian Navy | Onsite representatives; tour of HMCS Max Bernays |
| Canadian Coast Guard | Onsite representatives; tour of CCGS Sir John Franklin |
| Canadian Marine Careers Foundation & Industry Partners | Career information, demonstrations, networking |
"Aspiring seafarers should clear their schedules this Saturday,"
The line-up of participants reflects both public-service and private-sector pathways into marine work. Organisations such as BC Ferries and BC Coast Pilots offer career options tied to interprovincial transport and pilotage, while unions and marine service companies can point to roles in maintenance, logistics and shore-side operations.
For North Vancouver residents, the expo also reinforces the geographic and economic links between the city’s waterfront planning and the labour force that keeps ships moving. As waterfront redevelopment continues to change the face of neighbourhoods, events that highlight marine careers can broaden public understanding of the working harbour that neighbours these projects.
Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead: arrive with appropriate footwear for ship tours, allow time for security checks, and bring questions about training and certification if they are exploring job pathways. The expo is free and open to the general public, offering a rare close-up look at vessels that normally operate off the North Shore.
More details, including any last-minute changes to vessel availability or tour schedules, are usually provided by event organisers in the days before the expo. North Vancouver’s Shipyards will serve as the public landing point for a day of career-focused maritime programming that promises to connect residents directly with the people and equipment that sustain B.C.’s coastal economy.
