Visit , board , search , and seizure Visit , board , search , and seizure ( VBSS ) is the term used by the United States military and law enforcement agencies for maritime boarding actions and tactics , designed to capture enemy vessels , to combat terrorism , piracy and smuggling , and to conduct customs , safety and other inspections , as employed by modern navies , marine and maritime services , military and police forces . United States Navy training . United States Navy training begins with non - lethal - weapons ( NLW ) training and handling including withstanding OC ( Oleoresin Capsicum ) " pepper spray " and then moves on to Security Reaction Force - Basic ( SRF - B ) , Security Reaction Force - Advanced ( SRF - A ) , and VBSS . The initial training continuum includes three courses lasting a total of eight weeks , with some team members receiving additional follow - on training . Skills taught in the VBSS Close Quarters Battle ( CQB ) courses include tactical movement and shooting , defensive tactics , rappelling , searching , and other team skills . Some units , known as Helicopter Visit , Board , Search , and Seizure ( HVBSS ) teams have been trained to fast rope aboard vessels from helicopters . Regular sailors in the Navy are eligible to serve aboard VBSS teams depending on the ship ' s command structure . The majority of US Naval ships that deploy VBSS teams are smaller ships such as guided missile destroyer s , guided missile frigate s , etc . VBSS teams are used to combat illegal narcotics and arms trafficking and piracy . USN VBSS teams are generally armed with Mk 18 or M4 carbine s as well as Mossberg 500 shotguns and Beretta M9 pistols . The body armor is generally of the kevlar , law enforcement type with ballistic plate inserts and a buoyant tactical vest that doubles as a life preserver . United States Marine Corps . The United States Marine Corps has several units that conduct VBSS . The premier VBSS force is the ARG / MEU ' s Maritime Raid Force ( MRF ) , previously known as the Maritime Special Purpose Force . Additionally the various Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team s are trained to varying levels of proficiency in VBSS . MRF . The MRF is a sub - unit of the ARG / MEU that is task - organized for each specific mission . However , it typically consists of three platoons : a Force Reconnaissance Platoon as the assault element , an Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon as the support element , and a Battalion Landing Team infantry platoon as the security element . Together these form the backbone of the MRF and are usually augmented by : Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians , Counter - Intelligence / Human Intelligence , Joint terminal attack controller s , Military information support operators , United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments , and Chemical , biological , radiological , and nuclear specialists , among others as needed . The backbone platoons and enablers are then married with the needed support assets for a particular mission , such as USN and USMC aircraft and small boats . Integral to the ARG / MEU construct , and bringing to bear the full range of ARG / MEU capabilities , the MRF is a conventional force that is capable of many ' SOF - like ' missions , including opposed VBSS . United States Coast Guard . The U . S . Coast Guard is another service that commonly responds to VBSS scenarios . Law enforcement boarding teams from cutters and stations are generally armed with SIG P229 pistols , Remington M870P shotguns , and M16 rifle s or currently the M - 4 SOPMOD , specifically the MK 18 . Additionally , the Coast Guard has a number of specialized units within its Deployable Operations Group that have advanced boarding capabilities .