Riding Squad

Skilled technicians who sail with your vessel and get maintenance done while the ship keeps trading.

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What is a riding squad?

A riding squad (also called a riding crew or riding gang) is a team of skilled technicians who sail with your vessel and carry out maintenance and repairs while the ship keeps trading. Work that would otherwise wait for a port stay or dry dock gets done at sea, under the vessel’s safety management system.

NeoSea Talent Management supplies riding squads for shipowners and ship managers — from a two-person fitter team for a pump overhaul to a larger multi-trade squad for steel renewal and engine work.

Marine engineers carrying out main engine repair work onboard – riding squad

Work our riding squads handle

Engine overhauls

Main and auxiliary engine overhauls, piston and liner work, turbocharger and purifier maintenance.

Steel renewal & welding

Steel cropping and renewal, pipe fabrication and welding by qualified welders.

Deck & hull maintenance

Chipping, surface preparation and coating of decks, hatch covers and superstructure.

Pumps, valves & pipelines

Overhaul and renewal of pumps, valves and pipelines in cargo, ballast and engine systems.

Electrical & automation

Electricians and ETOs for motor overhauls, cabling, alarm and automation faults.

Tank & hold cleaning

Cargo hold and tank cleaning between cargoes, supervised under the vessel’s permit-to-work.

How a riding squad is mobilised

A clear path from your enquiry to job completion.

Riding squad process flow
01

Share the scope

Vessel, job list, port, expected duration and trades needed.

02

Team selection

We shortlist technicians and verify certificates and medicals.

03

Mobilisation

Joining plan agreed with you for the port and dates.

04

Onboard work

Work under the vessel’s SMS and permit-to-work, with progress reports.

05

Completion

Job sign-off with the master and superintendent, then sign-off of the squad.

Who is in a squad

Every squad is built around the job. Typical trades include:

  • Riding supervisor / superintendent
  • Fitters and coded welders
  • Motormen and oilers
  • Electricians and ETOs
  • Painters, riggers and general hands

Need a riding squad for your next voyage?

Tell us the vessel, the job and the port. We’ll propose the right team.

Request a Riding Squad

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a question? Our team is happy to help.

Contact Us
What is a riding squad on a ship?

A riding squad is a team of technicians — such as fitters, welders, motormen and electricians — who sail with a vessel for a limited period to carry out maintenance or repair work while the ship continues trading.

The ship’s crew runs the vessel and handles routine maintenance. A riding squad is brought on board for a specific job and duration, adding extra hands and trade skills without changing the vessel’s regular crew.

Riding squads suit work that can be done safely at sea or during port calls — engine overhauls, steel renewal, coating, pipe and pump work, or tank cleaning. Major hull, underwater or class-driven repairs still need a yard or dry dock.

Yes. Technicians sailing on board are generally required to hold valid STCW basic safety certificates, a medical fitness certificate and travel documents. Flag state and owner requirements apply, and we verify these before mobilisation.

Share the vessel details, job list, port, expected duration and the trades you need through our contact page. We propose a squad and a mobilisation plan for your approval.

Hiring crew or looking for your next contract?

Talk to a DG Shipping–licensed RPSL agency. RPSL No. MUM-162374.

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Neosea Talent Management Private Limited

We are a leading provider of comprehensive ship crew management services and industrial staffing solutions.

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