Marine Special Operations Battalion - VBSS

Critical Skills Operators (CSOs) with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (1st MSOB) pictured during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training.

VBSS is a form of maritime interdication operation (MIO) that may be carried out to recapture a pirated vessel, perform customs or other inspections or to counter terrorism.

The CSOs shown here are undergoing training in Level 4 VBSS operations.

There are several levels of VBSS tactics employed:

• Level 1 : in which the target vessel is compliant with the boaring team
• Level 2 : in which the target vessel is non-compliant and has a freeboard (height from deck to waterline) of 25 feet or less
• Level 3 / 4 : in which the taget vessel is non-compliant and has a freeboard over 25 feet high and/or is actively opposing the boarding.

  Level 3/4 VBSS operations are typically carried out by teams of suitably-trained Special Operations Forces

Level 3/4 VBSS may be carried out by teams inserted by helicopter (fast-rope) and/or by rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).

Other SOF teams trained in VBSS include USMC Maritime Raid Force (MRF), Force Recon Platoons, Navy SEALs and Coast Guard MSRT, MSST and LETDET teams.