22nd MEU Marines certified for ship boarding

USS BATAAN - The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and Bataan Amphibious Ready Group deployed in May, but training is still underway.

One of the jobs of the Navy and Marine Corps team is to keep watch on the millions of tons of cargo that transits the shipping lanes aboard all manner of ships from a multitude of different countries.

The method for maintaining that watch is known as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, or VBSS.

The VBSS mission has several variations in delivery and intensity, which are decided based on the actions of the target ships' crews, but the primary task is for a group of Marines and sailors to board the ship and ensure the ship is safe and that it is not violating shipping laws by carrying prohibited equipment or individuals.

In extreme circumstances the VBSS teams may be called on to take total control of the target ship.

Prior to the current deployment of the 22nd MEU and Bataan ARG, the 22nd MEU was tasked to master the VBSS, however, the requirement changed after the pre-deployment training phase for the MEU was over.

Because of the unique aspects of operating aboard ships, the Marines tasked with executing the missions received extra training in several specialized tasks, like fast-roping and shipboard close-quarters engagement.

The MEU used a three-phase approach, starting the training with basics such as ship familiarization and moving all the way up to having teams fast-rope to the deck of their targets out of CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced).

The MEU performed the fast-rope assault missions two times on one of the smaller ships of the Bataan ARG, USS Fort McHenry, and a prepositioning ship.

VBSS is not solely a Marine mission, but if a team has to take over a vessel after the assault, they have a team of sailors along to pilot the ship and handle damage control.