MLE Boarding Procedures

Oct. 2006

Objectives

Unit A

1. STATE the external inspection procedures including: approach techniques and external inspection procedures.

Reference: CD/AMIO Manual Chapter 8

Basic Steps• External Inspection• Embarking• Team Positioning• The Greeting• Weapons Question• Initial Safety

Inspection

• Boarding Activity• Disembark• Debrief• Reports and Case

Packages

External InspectionBOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

What are you looking for during an external inspection?

External Inspection = Hazards/illegal activity

When Does it Occur?

During the Approach

External Inspections have

two maneuvering techniques

• Circling

• Horseshoe

Circling Maneuver• The vessel is dead in the

water or underway at less then five knots

• Circle close aboard at a slow bell

• Conduct a detailed inspection

Horseshoe Maneuver

• Vessel is traveling greater than five knots

• Inspect one side from bow to stern

• Cross the stern

• Inspect the other side from stern to bow

• DO NOT CROSS THE BOW!

Objectives

Unit B

1. DESCRIBE team embarkation procedures to include: safety considerations, first person on board and team embarkation order.

2. DESCRIBE team positioning considerations to include: line of fire, bunching, observations and triangulation.

Reference: CD/AMIO Manual Chapter 8

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

What Safety Issue should be Considered when Embarking?

• Damage to the small boat

• Crushing

• Team member overboard

• Bad boarding ladder

Who Should be the First Person On Board?

What Should the First Person On Board Do?

•Take position, secure the embarkation point

•Determine if it is safe for the rest of the team

•If facing an immediate threat, take a defensive position or retreat to the small boat

•Give the signal to board, if safe

•Keep master and crew away from the embarkation point

•Remain focused on security while the team embarks

Team Position Considerations

Line of Fire:

• Provide a clear Line of Fire in the direction of a potential threat

• Be careful not to mask the line of fire between a Team Member and a potential aggressor

Team Position Considerations

Bunching:

• Spread out!

• Make it difficult for an aggressor to incapacitate or injure several Team Members

Team Position Considerations

Observation:

• Have an unencumbered view of the area

• Keep Team Members in sight

Team Position ConsiderationsTriangulation:

• Form Triangularly- oriented positions oriented to team positions

• Provide overlapping fields of view

• Provide a clear line of fire for all Team Members

Objectives

Unit C

1. LIST the items contained in a greeting.

2. STATE what constitutes proper identification for Boarding Team personnel.

Reference: CD/AMIO Manual Chapter 8

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

Who Should Greet the Master?

Four Parts of the Greeting

• He or she is from the U.S. Coast Guard

• Name of the Boarding Officer, unless the situation dictates it could be unsafe to give the name to the Master

• The purpose of the Boarding

• Inquire about weapons aboard the vessel

What if the Master asks to see your Badge or Credentials?

• The Boarding Officer should present his/her military identification card

• The use of any other badge or credential by Boarding Team Members is prohibited

Greeting for U.S. Vessels

“Good (morning, afternoon, or evening) Captain I am Officer _________ of the United States Coast Guard. We are here today to ensure your vessel is in compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Without reaching for or touching them, are there any weapons on board?”

Greeting for a Consensual Boarding

“ Good (morning, afternoon, or evening) Captain, I am Officer___________ of the United States Coast Guard. We are here today with your permission to check your vessel’s status and observe your vessel operations. Without reaching for or touching them, are there any weapons on board?”

Objectives

Unit D

1. EXPLAIN what should be accomplished prior to disembarking the vessel.

2. DESCRIBE team disembarkation procedures to include: team debrief, safety considerations, directions to the master and crew and team disembarkation order.

Reference: CD/AMIO Manual Chapter 8

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

*ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

*Boarding Activity

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

*Post Boarding Activity

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

Post Boarding Activity

Disembark

How Does the Boarding End?

• The Boarding Team must safely depart the boarded vessel

• Exercise extreme caution during this portion of the boarding

• Human nature leads many people to let their guard down at the end of a boarding, while significant hazards may still pose threats to the Boarding Team.

What Should be Done Prior to Disembarking?

• Meet for a quick team debrief

• Gather boarding materials and equipment

• Return all property to the master and crew that were held during the inspection or for safety reasons

What Safety Issues should be considered when Disembarking?

• Give specific direction to the master concerning course and speed

• Direct the crew to remain in a central location away from the Boarding Team

What Safety Issues should be considered when Disembarking?

• Thank the master for his cooperation

• Disembark in reverse order from embarkation

**

Objectives Unit E

1. STATE the purpose of and LIST the topics contained in a boarding debrief.

2. LIST the topics covered when briefing the Chain of Command.

3. EXPLAIN the purpose and reporting requirements of the Maritime Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

Reference: CD/AMIO Manual Chapter 8

MLEM Appendix T

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

Post Boarding Activity

Disembark

Debrief

What is the Purpose of the Debrief ?

• To evaluate the boarding• Identify things done well• Identify any mistakes made• Consider improvements for the future

Who Should be There?

• The Boarding Team

• The Boat Crew

What Topics Should be Covered?

• Strengths/weaknesses of original plan• Boarding procedures performed and

results• Safety• Identify training needed• Personnel impressions of the vessel

boarded and any late blooming suspicions of illegal activity

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

Post Boarding Activity

Disembark

Debrief

Command Debrief

What Should be covered when

briefing the Chain of Command?• Sequence of events• Suspicions generated but

not confirmed• Recommendations for

changes in procedure

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

Post Boarding Activity

Disembark

Debrief

Command Debrief

Reports & Case package

What is MISLE?• Only comprehensive database used by the

USCG• Feeds the Common Operating Picture• Provides near real time tactical LE

information• Provides greater maritime domain awareness

to Operational Commanders

What are the Submission Requirements

• A MISLE entry is required for every sighting and boarding

• These entries must be made within 24 hours of the sighting or boarding

• Or within 24 hours of establishing CGDN connectivity

Any Questions???

BOARDING PROCEDURES FLOWCHART

External Inspection

Embark

Greeting

Weapons question

ISI’s

BISI: Part of every

boarding

EISI: Conducted

only to identify or locate

known weapons,

unaccounted for persons,

and known/suspected

safety hazards, and may

occur at any time during

a boarding

Boarding Activity

Post Boarding Activity

Disembark

Debrief

Command Debrief

Reports & Case package

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