BALTIMORE – Coast Guard vessel boarding and security team members conducted tactical training aboard the SS John W. Brown, a historic 441-foot liberty ship in Baltimore, Friday.
The VBST simulated situations consisting of stowaways hidden throughout the ship to practice their tactical sweeps of the ship and worked on using radiation detection and identification equipment to ensure the team is confident in their abilites in the event of a high-risk boarding.
The team is responsible for detecting and deterring terrorist activity and ensuring the safety and security of the Port of Baltimore and the National Capital Region. They average approximately 100 vessel boardings per year, ranging from deep draft vessels, commercial fishing vessels and recreational boats.
A full-time VBST was established at Sector Baltimore in the summer of 2007.
