November 18, 2024
Tactical operations are completely different when they take place in a maritime environment, and our Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training reflects this complexity. Many of our clients need a specific maritime response and interdiction capability, and the Tomahawk team has grown its capability nationwide to offer and personalize this training.
In VBSS, we cover the essentials for maritime operations and ensure that your team has a common understanding of how to execute a successful mission in what can often be an unforgiving environment. Our training is targeted for law enforcement teams, offering a pragmatic approach that considers your operating environment, likely target vessels, unit and personal equipment, and asset availability.
A Reliable VBSS Capability is Complex
Our training aims to give tactical teams the tools and understanding to enable mission success in a maritime environment, using risk mitigation and de-escalation, when possible, to keep officers and the civilian population they serve safe. We cover tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) unique to maritime operations, including:
- Establishing and refining your VBSS standard operating procedures
- Mission planning considerations and asset management
- TTPs of tactical vessel approach, boarding, and follow-on movement utilizing boat or rotary-wing assets, or both
- Vessel Close Quarters Clearance (CQC)
- Breaching considerations
- Bridge and aft steering control
- Marshaling, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), and post-assault procedures
- Unit and personal equipment considerations
Boat Assault Force (BAF) Considerations
Many law enforcement teams must approach and board a target vessel from boat(s). Boat Assault Force (BAF) TTPs, which can vary depending on the available assets, require many considerations. Even in low-climb conditions, things can quickly fall apart without proper training on the boats and with the crew. We guide teams on essential aspects such as determining whether to use organic or outsourced craft and crew, ensuring each person has a defined role, planning contingencies with multiple hook and climb points, assessing windward versus leeward sides, and selecting the right unit equipment for specific target vessels. Additionally, we cover proper personal equipment to ensure mission success and overboard survival.
Helo Assault Force (HAF) Considerations
Even the world’s best helicopter pilots can lose station, especially in variable winds with a moving vessel, so it’s essential to be ready to make adjustments if the crew is off station. VBSS HAF operations can also vary depending on available assets. During training, aircraft should ideally conduct runs without passengers to maximize safety. Team leaders must collaborate with pilots to confirm viable landing or rope points. When combined with a BAF, it’s usually more effective for the BAF team to initiate the assault and establish a foothold first. These are just a few things to consider when developing a realistic and effective HAF capability.
Much More to Consider
All the above points are just to safely get the assaulters on board, they then have to consider the safest way to conduct the mission. Ships/Boats/Ferries are different in their internal structure than buildings and houses that the team may normally train on, therefore, tactics will have to adjust. Considerations must also be made on post-assault procedures, like how to get the vessel(s) safely back to port, what to do with all the passengers, how to handle injured personnel if they can’t wait for the distance and time it will take to dock, and what to do with any bad actors before docking. These tasks are easily accomplished on land but not so easily on water.
Safety
Safety is paramount, and you must mitigate risk as much as possible while still giving realism when training. VBSS can humble the world's best maritime interdiction teams, and individuals and units must not take anything for granted. VBSS has its own safety considerations to think about – here are a few:
- You must be slightly buoyant with full kit – honest dip tests
- Do not take for granted the coxswain and crew (HAF or BAF) abilities to stay on station
- Physical fitness standards matter, especially with hook and climbing
- Conduct dry rehearsals so everyone knows their roles and responsibilities
- Must have the proper personal safety equipment if you end up in the water
- Must conduct water safety training
- Weather and sea conditions may be outside the assets’ capability
- The little things add up (e.g., hook placement, safety runners, etc.)
- Water temps must be factored into contingency recovery plans and personal gear
- If feasible, have a dedicated safety boat (HAF and BAF) and diver (HAF) on standby
The Tomahawk Team: Expert Trainers
Our VBSS training was developed by Tomahawk team members with years of experience in Naval Special Warfare, the world’s premier maritime interdiction force.
In the complex and challenging maritime world, Tomahawk brings deep expertise and resources to help your team develop or refine a VBSS capability to safely and effectively execute missions. Contact us today if you’re interested in any of our VBSS training!