Marine Riding Squad: What It Is and When to Use One

A vessel mid-voyage with a fractured bedplate. A class deadline you cannot miss. A drydock slot still three months away. This is where a marine riding squad becomes the call that protects your schedule and your margins.

Most superintendents know the term. Few have a clear framework for when to use one. This guide explains what a marine riding squad does, the jobs they handle, when to call one, what it costs, and how the mobilisation actually works.

What Is a Marine Riding Squad?

A marine riding squad is a team of specialist engineers and technicians that boards a vessel to carry out repairs while the ship stays in service. They can work in port, at anchorage, or sail with the ship for days or weeks, removing the need for drydocking.

The squad supplements the ship's crew rather than replacing them. Each team is built around the scope of work and the vessel type.

A typical riding squad includes:

Coded welders and pipefitters
Mechanical fitters and machinists
Electrical and automation technicians
Hydraulic and pneumatic specialists
NDT inspectors and surface preparation crew
A supervisor or project lead on board

Riding Squad vs Flying Squad vs Drydocking: What's the Difference?

The terms get used interchangeably. They are not the same thing. The table below sets out the practical differences for ship operators.

Option	Where it happens	Best for	Main limitation
Riding squad	On board, in port or sailing with the vessel	Larger scopes that need days or weeks of work	Needs voyage planning and class liaison
Flying squad	Single port call, short stay	Fast, focused repairs during a port window	Limited by port time and local logistics
Drydocking	Shipyard	Major structural or underwater work	Costly, long off-hire, fixed schedule
Port contractors	Single port, on hire to local yard	Simple jobs in well-equipped ports	Variable quality and class coverage

In short: a flying squad solves a short, sharp problem in port. A riding squad sails with you and tackles bigger scopes. Drydocking is the planned, expensive last resort for work that cannot be done afloat.

What Jobs Can a Marine Riding Squad Do?

A competent riding squad covers most repairs that do not require dewatering the hull. The scope is wider than many operators realise.

Typical jobs include:

Steelwork and structural repairs to decks, frames, and bulkheads
Pipe renewals across fuel, ballast, cooling, and cargo systems
Tank cleaning, blasting, and protective coatings
Mechanical overhauls of pumps, separators, and auxiliary engines
Electrical rewiring, switchboard repairs, and automation upgrades
NDT inspection to support class surveys and condition reports
Pre-drydock preparation work to reduce time in the yard

Class-attended work can be carried out where the riding squad coordinates with the vessel's class society. Welders use approved procedures and qualifications.

When Should You Use a Marine Riding Squad?

Use a marine riding squad when waiting is more expensive than acting. The decision usually comes down to six clear triggers.

Call a riding squad when:

A defect cannot wait for the next drydock. The vessel needs trading days you do not have to spare.
Off-hire costs outweigh the repair. Charter day rates make every lost day expensive.
Crew lack the skills or certifications. The job needs coded welders or class-approved specialists.
Drydock prep work can be done underway. Cutting yard time by even a few days saves serious money.
Class conditions or PSC deficiencies need closing fast. A surveyor needs evidence of repair before a deadline.
Trading patterns rule out long port stays. Tight rotations mean repairs must happen between voyages.

If two or more of these apply, a riding squad is almost always the right answer.

How the Mobilisation Process Works

Mobilising a riding squad is not complicated. It is methodical. Here is what to expect from enquiry to demobilisation.

Scope of work is agreed. The superintendent and provider confirm the job, the timeline, and any class involvement.
The team is assembled. Specialists are selected, briefed, and issued visas, vaccinations, and PPE.
Boarding is confirmed. The squad meets the vessel at a port call, anchorage, or by ship-to-ship transfer.
Class is liaised. If class attendance is needed, a surveyor is coordinated for the relevant stages.
Work begins on board. The squad integrates with the crew under the supervisor's lead and a clear safety plan.
Reporting and sign-off. Daily progress is reported. On completion, repairs are signed off and demobilised.

A well-run provider handles the logistics so the superintendent can focus on the vessel, not the visas.

What Does a Marine Riding Squad Cost?

There is no flat rate. Cost depends on the job, the location, and the speed needed. Frame it as a comparison with the alternative.

The main cost drivers are:

Team size and discipline mix
Duration of the work and number of shifts
Mobilisation point and travel logistics
Equipment and consumables shipped to the vessel
Whether boarding is at a port or underway
Class attendance and any required certification

When the alternative is off-hire or a forced drydock, a riding squad is usually the cheaper option by a wide margin.

How to Choose a Marine Riding Squad Provider

Not all providers are equal. The right one stands out on six factors.

Check the provider for:

True 24/7 availability and proven response times
Global coverage with teams that can reach major ports quickly
Established relationships with class societies
Multi-discipline teams under one contract
Track record on similar vessel types and jobs
Strong QHSE record and transparent reporting

EAP operates Global Flying and Riding Squads 24/7/365. Recent mobilisations have placed engineering teams on bulkers and tankers within days of a confirmed scope. Read more on our

marine engineering capabilities and how we support vessels in service across global ports.

Marine Riding Squad FAQs

How quickly can a marine riding squad mobilise?

Response times depend on the scope, the team's location, and visa requirements. EAP runs riding squads 24/7/365 and can typically reach vessels at major global ports within days of a confirmed scope. Framework agreements signed in advance cut mobilisation time further.

Can a riding squad do class-attended repairs?

Yes. A competent provider coordinates with the vessel's class society so attended work is surveyed and recorded correctly. Coded welders and approved procedures are used. Any class conditions or recommendations are formally closed out as part of the job.

How long does a riding squad stay on board?

Anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Short scopes finish during a single port call. Larger jobs can run for an entire voyage leg. The duration is agreed in the scope of work before the team boards.

Can a riding squad avoid the need for drydocking?

Often, yes. Riding squads handle most repairs that do not require dewatering the hull. They cannot replace drydock work on underwater plating, propellers, or rudders. For everything else, they are usually a faster and cheaper option.

How do you hire a marine riding squad?

Contact a provider with a clear scope of work, vessel details, and a target boarding window. The provider will confirm team composition, mobilisation point, and cost. Operators with framework agreements in place mobilise faster than those starting from scratch.

For background on class-attended repairs and survey requirements, see guidance from the

International Association of Classification Societies and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Bottom Line

A marine riding squad is not a last resort. It is a planning tool. The operators who use them well are the ones with a provider lined up before the defect happens.

If your fleet runs hard schedules and cannot afford unplanned off-hire, pre-arranged riding squad cover is worth the conversation.

Speak to EAP's operations team about framework cover for your fleet, or request rapid response if you have an active issue.