Marine Crane & Rigging Chief

Travel: Frequent domestic and international travel to vessel and project locations worldwide

Position Summary

Offshore Aviation Group is seeking an experienced Marine Crane & Rigging Manager to lead crane maintenance, lifting operations, rigging safety, and operator development across the company’s fleet and supporting shoreside operations.

This role is responsible for developing and executing maintenance and training plans, managing company crane operators, and maintaining equipment readiness and personnel qualifications. The successful candidate will combine practical crane operating and maintenance experience with the ability to establish consistent procedures, train personnel, and manage work across multiple locations.

Working closely with Port Engineers, Port Captains, vessel Masters, and engineering teams, this individual will help ensure OAG’s lifting equipment and personnel are prepared to safely support demanding maritime and defense missions.

Key Responsibilities

Crane Maintenance & Equipment Readiness

• Develop, implement, and execute preventive and corrective maintenance plans for company cranes, lifting appliances, and associated rigging equipment.
• Perform and supervise inspections, troubleshooting, servicing, and repairs within personal qualifications, coordinating specialist technicians and manufacturers as required.
• Establish maintenance schedules based on manufacturer guidance, equipment condition, operating demands, and applicable inspection requirements.
• Coordinate load testing, examinations, surveys, and equipment certification with qualified service providers and relevant authorities.
• Maintain accurate equipment registers, maintenance histories, inspection records, certificates, and outstanding deficiency lists.
• Manage spare parts, service contractors, repair scopes, and maintenance budgets in coordination with the marine engineering team.

Lifting Operations & Rigging Safety

• Establish and maintain company procedures for crane operations, rigging, equipment inspections, and lift planning.
• Develop and review lift plans, risk assessments, and pre-lift briefings, including arrangements for complex or critical lifts.
• Verify that lifting operations account for load characteristics, rigging capacity, crane configuration, vessel movement, weather, and equipment operating limits.
• Provide practical supervision and operating support during vessel visits, mobilizations, maintenance periods, and demanding lifting operations.
• Coordinate shipboard lifting activities with vessel Masters and designated supervisors, respecting the Master’s authority over vessel safety.
• Stop unsafe work, remove defective lifting equipment from service, and verify corrective actions before return to operation.
• Investigate lifting incidents, equipment failures, and near misses, and implement improvements across the fleet.

Operator Management, Training & Qualifications

• Provide companywide functional supervision of crane operators, establishing consistent operating standards and performance expectations.
• Develop and deliver structured training plans for crane operators, riggers, and signal personnel.
• Conduct practical coaching, equipment familiarization, and competency assessments within the scope of personal qualifications.
• Maintain a centralized training and certification register covering qualifications, equipment authorizations, assessment records, and renewal dates.
• Arrange initial certification, refresher training, and recertification through appropriate training and certification providers.
• Verify that personnel hold the qualifications and equipment-specific authorization required for their assigned work.
• Support recruitment, selection, development, and assignment of crane operators in coordination with Marine Operations and Human Resources.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining marine or offshore cranes, including lifting operations from vessels.
• Previous responsibility for supervising crane operators, rigging teams, or lifting operations.
• Current crane operator certification appropriate to relevant equipment and operating environments.
• Strong working knowledge of rigging practices, load charts, lifting limitations, hydraulic and mechanical systems, and equipment inspection.
• Experience developing maintenance schedules, operating procedures, lift plans, and personnel training programs.
• Ability to interpret manufacturer manuals, technical drawings, inspection reports, and applicable operating requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and recordkeeping skills, with the ability to manage priorities across multiple vessels and locations.
• Valid passport and ability to travel internationally.
• Ability to safely perform vessel access, equipment inspections, and practical field duties, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized crane instructor, assessor, inspector, or advanced rigging qualifications.
• Experience establishing or managing a fleetwide crane and lifting equipment program.
• Experience supporting government, military, or specialized offshore operations.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems and classification society inspections.
• Relevant maritime credentials and offshore safety training.

Travel & Work Environment

This position requires frequent travel between OAG vessel locations, shipyards, ports, and project sites worldwide. Assignments may include extended periods aboard vessels, work at sea, and schedule changes driven by operational or maintenance requirements.