8.13 VBSS

Question 1

Maritime Interception Operations

Answer 1

Efforts to monitor, query, and board merchant vessels in international waters to enforce sanctions against other nations.

Question 2

VBSS

Answer 2

Tactics, Techniques, and procedures for boarding a vessel.

Combat terrorism, piracy, and smuggling.
Conduct customs, safety, and other inspections
VBSS has similar connotations as the term “Maritime Interdiction Operations,” a term used in allied and multi-national operations.

Question 3

Expanded MIO

Answer 3

Broadened Maritime Interception Operations to intercept targeted personnel or material posing an imminent threat to the U.S. Authorized by SECDEF and MAY involve multinational forces and be implemented without sanctions

Question 4

Right of Approach and Visit

Answer 4

When International law allows a warship, military aircraft, other authorized ship or aircraft to approach any vessel in international waters to verify its nationality.

Engaged in:
Piracy
Slave trade
Unauthorized broadcasting
Without nationality
Flying another nation’s flag

Question 5

Role of TAO/CICWO in VBSS

Answer 5

Maintain communications with and provide regular situation reports (SITREPs) to the MIO Commander
Assist in determination of Go/No-Go Criteria
Ensure gun crews and Small Caliber Action Team (SCAT) are ready to conduct warning shots, non-disabling, disabling, or destructive fire
Aid bridge in safe navigation of the ship and maintain overall surface picture
Complete CIC MIO watchbill and checklist

Question 6

Role of the OOD in VBSS

Answer 6

Complete bridge MIO watchbill and checklist
Assist in the determination of Go/No-Go Criteria
Maneuver own ship to stay within support range of the boarding team (BT) at all times
Brief control stations on current status of the boarding operation

Question 7

Role of the Liason Naval Officer (LNO) in VBSS

Answer 7

Participates in mission planning
Remains aboard the parent ship during the mission execution to relay information between BO, CO, and CIC
Allows the BO and ABO to concentrate on immediate situations

Question 8

Own ship team

Answer 8

Liason Naval Offcer (LNO)
TAO
OOD

Question 9

Boarding team composition

Answer 9

Boarding Officer (BO)
Assistant Boarding Officer (ABO)
Security Team Leader
Security Team
Sweep Team
Engineering Sweep Team
Communications Operator

Question 10

RHIB Crew composition

Answer 10

Coxswain
Engineer
Bow Hook / SAR

Question 11

Boarding Officer (BO)

Answer 11

OIC of the boarding team; Gather intel from Master Vessel

Question 12

Assistant BO

Answer 12

Junior Officer or Senior Enlisted
Assists the BO

Question 13

Security Team Leader (STL)

Answer 13

Usually the next most senior and experienced member after the ABO
Directs the security team

Question 14

Security Team

Answer 14

“First on, last off”
2+ Personnel – experienced and mature petty officers
Contain the boarded vessel’s crew and passengers during the boarding

Question 15

Sweep Team

Answer 15

Personnel – most experienced members of the Boarding Team (BT)
Search the vessel and report their results to the BO
Perform an initial safety inspection
Safety hazards, unaccounted personnel/weapons

Question 16

Engineering Sweep Team

Answer 16

Ensures the vessel is sea worthy
2+ Personnel – Sounding and Security PQS Qualified
Secure the engineering spaces
Assist in the engineering-specific elements of the vessel search
Report their results to the BO/ABO

Question 17

Communication Operator

Answer 17

Relays information to the LNO
BO’s “buddy” throughout operation
Relays information on the boarding command and control (C2) net between the BO, supporting ship, helicopter, and RHIB
May not be required for every boarding

Question 18

RHIB Coxswain

Answer 18

Safe and efficient operation of the ship’s small boats
Must be proficient with a hand-held radio and GPS
Small arms qualified

Question 19

Boat Engineer

Answer 19

Maintains and repairs the RHIB
Small arms qualified
May be qualified as a Bow Hook

Question 20

Bow Hook

Answer 20

Forward line handling and lookout
Small arms qualified
Typically filled by the Boat Officer

Question 21

Primary Objectives of VBSS

Answer 21

Determine if the vessel is in compliance with the tasking authorities’ stated reason for interception and subsequent boarding.

Question 22

Secondary Objectives of VBSS

Answer 22

Gather information about the ship’s itinerary and future intentions
Military and merchant activity in and around the embargoed nation’s ports
Potential affiliation and/or support by a vessel for suspected terrorist organizations

Question 23

Types of Boarding

Answer 23

Compliant Boarding
Non-compliant boarding
Opposed Boarding

Question 24

Compliant Boarding

Answer 24

Complies with On-Scene Commander (OSC) direction
No apparent passive or active resistance measures employed
No intel indicating threat.

Question 25

Non-compliant boarding

Answer 25

No intel indicating threat
Fails to comply with OSC direction
Active or passive measures in place to delay, impede, complicate or deter access, but measures can be overcome by mechanical means

Question 26

Opposed Boarding

Answer 26

• Active or passive measures in place to inflict serious bodily harm or death to the BT
• Demonstrated intent to actively oppose the boarding by inflicting serious bodily harm or using deadly force against the BT
• Intel indicates a threat to inflict serious bodily harm or death
• Demonstration of hostile action, including threatening display of weapons

Question 27

MIO Phases

Answer 27

Detection & Surveillance
Query, Approach & Stop
Board, Search, & Inspect
Debarkation
Post-Boarding (de-brief)