Maritime Operations for SWAT

The United States has over 5,000 miles of coastline and vast numbers of rivers and lakes. Crime is inevitable and maritime environments are no exception. The SWAT teams should have all capabilities in order to conduct successful operations in or around the waters. Maritime operations require knowledge of the maritime environment and how it can affect your gear and the mission. The four courses below will give a quick synopsis of the different maritime operations.

Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of a waterborne vessel assault. Students will learn to regain the control of a vessel while static or underway using various assault techniques from the water line. This course will involve water survival, gear configuration while utilizing flotation, rope work, caving, and Jacobs ladder climbs, CQC, external movement, prisoner handling, and small boat handling.

Tactical Beach Reconnaissance

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of surveillance in a maritime environment. Students will learn clandestine insertion and extraction methods via boat or swimming over the beach. Emphasis will be based on setting up observation points, intelligence gathering and protecting mission valuable gear. Strong swimming skills are required to attend this course.

Tactical Waterborne Assault

This course is designed to teach SWAT operators the use of waterways as a method of assaulting a target. Operators will learn the advantages of utilizing a waterborne assault to gain the element of surprise. Emphasis on insertion methods via boat and/or swimming and proper gear configuration in a maritime environment will be the basis of the course. Strong swimming skills are required to attend this course.

Small Boat Operations

To obtain any of the missions above operators must know how to utilize small boats. Clandestine configuration and maneuverability of small boats will be taught to students to deploy units tactically. The students will also be familiarized with general maintenance of the boats. Environment and geography (tides, currents, and beach terrain) of the maritime environment will also be included.