Boarding Operations

Objectives
Pre-boarding
Embarkation
Basic Boarding
Operations
Safety
considerations

Contingency
Planning
Disembarkation
Post-boarding

Pre-Boarding Phase Objectives

Observations
Questions
Intelligence check
Level of risk
Brief
Instructions to Master

Why Make Pre-Boarding

Observations?

La
B

omb

Pre-Boarding Observations
Vessel activity
Vessel type / description
Vessel nationality
Vessel location
Vessel condition
Number / appearance of persons on
board
Obvious violations

Pre-boarding Questions

Am I speaking with the

Master?

Masters Name
Nationality
Date of birth

Pre-Boarding Questions

Vessel Name.
Nationality/Flag.
Registration/Document numbers.
Length overall.
Purpose of voyage.
Cargo/Passengers on board.
Last port of call/Date of departure.
Next port of call/ETA

Pre-Boarding Questions
Master/Operators name.
Master/Operator DOB and citizenship.
In the absence of the master, instructions
given upon departure; name of person
currently in charge.
Number and nationality of additional
POB.

Weapons

May inquire about weapons on the radio.

Type/Number/Location

Additional Questions

Specific information about the vessel

construction, propulsion and registration.

Specific information about the vessel

agent and/or owner.

Determine Level of Risk

Observation information
Pre-boarding question information
Intelligence information

BOARDING
AHEAD

Pre-Boarding Brief

Boarding Team size

Responsibilities
Brief team of
situation
Weapons
requirements
Embarkation plan

Pre-Boarding Brief

Initial Security
Positioning
Communication Plan
Contingency plan
Equipment and uniform
check
Solicit team feedback

Boarding Team

Additional weapons
requirements
All members armed
Match individual
strengths/experience
Work in pairs

Security Positions

Triangulation

Line of fire

Boarding Team size

Number of Persons on Board

Size and type of vessel to be boarded

Communications Plan

Internal
Communications
Plan

Comms with master

and crew

Small
Boat/Cutter/Opcon

Contingency Plans
Hostage situations
Hostile fire
Officer down / Subject down
Escape routes / Evacuation
Asylum requests

Conduct Equipment Check

Clean uniforms.
Same uniform.
Weapons loaded and holstered.
Body armor worn when armed.
Working flashlights.
Comm check.

Pre-Boarding Instructions

Muster the crew?

Any felony violations
Reasonable belief based on specific facts that
there is potential threat

Pre-Boarding Instructions
Alter course, slow or stop or go to a
specific mooring
Rig ladders / energize lights
Have I.D. and Documentation with you
Keep crew away from boarding point

Boarding Phase Objectives

Embarkation
Positioning
Introduction
Weapons
I.S.I.
Disembark

Approach Subject Vessel

Horseshoe vessel

Observe for violations

Ensure compliance
with instructions

Safe boarding location

Embarkation

Assume assigned
positions
Introduction
Weapons
Verify number of POB
Gather Documentation
& I.D.

Initial Safety Inspection

Basic I.S.I.

Quick & limited sweep of vessel

Completed upon embarkation of every vessel
For protection & safety
Identify hazards
Master should be invited to accompany
Explain results to the master and your team

Initial Safety Inspection

Extended I.S.I.
More focused
Requires reasonable suspicion of a
particular threat. Examples:
Known weapons
Unaccounted for POB
Known safety hazards

Last no longer than reasonable

Non L/E Safety Hazards

Loose wires.
Deck equipment.
Slippery deck.
Open hatches.
Inadequate Lighting.
Fuel in bilge.
Low overhead.
Limited deckspace.

L/E Related Safety Hazards

Firearms.
Edged Weapons.
Blunt instruments.
People.
Animals.
Explosives.

Credit Card Knife

Lipstick Knife
A small knife blade is
where the actual
lipstick would be,
and it twists up
just like an actual
lipstick tube.

Folding Gun

This is a 5 shot .22

caliber pistol with a
grip that folds over the
barrel and cylinder

It was concealed inside

an eye glass case when
discovered, but fits
easily in pockets, hats,
etc.

The Worlds Smallest Gun

This gun fires .45 ACP, .357

Magnum, and .38 Special
rounds

A break-down, single-shot,
double action weapon
made by the Downsizer
Corp.

Measures 3 long, 2
tall, and is .90 thick.

Lighter Knife

Costs about $8.00

Operates Stiletto
style, i.e., the blade
slides upward from
the tube vs. folding
out

Cell Phone Guns

Several of this model

have been
confiscated in
Holland.

Fires four .22 caliber

short rounds by
pressing keypad
buttons

Safety Considerations
Active information gathering.
Communicating.
Contingency Planning.
Exercising caution.
Assisting team members.
Retreating.

Active Information Gathering

Observing.

Listen to crew
Smell
Sound

Questioning.
Master
Crew

Intel Checks.

Communicating

Comms with
boarding platform.
Comms with team.
Keep team informed
of all hazards.

Comms with crew.

Boarding plan.

Contingency Planning

Develop a plan for:

Escape
Fire
Flooding
Retreat
Hostile fire

Contingency Planning

Alternate plans.
Situational
changes.
Safer methods.
Injured team
mate/crewmember
First aid.
Medevac.

Exercising Caution

Platform is unfamiliar.
Subjects are unfamiliar.
Outstanding
warrants.
Mental state.

Assisting Team Members

Never leave your

wingman.
Keep track of team
members location.
Be prepared to back
up team members.
Do not hesitate to
provide assistance.

RETREAT

If faced with a no win

situation, do not hesitate
to:
Back off.
Re-evaluate
Develop a new plan
Re-engage

Disembark
Positioning
Advise of weapon location
Organized departure

Post Boarding Objectives

Team debrief
Document

Debrief

Discuss what worked

Discuss what did not
work
Be open to
constructive criticism
DO NOT TAKE IT
PERSONALLY
Brief Command

Summary
Pre-Boarding Phase

Boarding Phase

Post-Boarding Phase