Specifications

Chapter 6 – Mission Performance
Section D. Going Alongside Boats and Vessels of Interest
Introduction
The following is a generic procedure for going alongside. Defender Class
boat crews must be familiar with the applicable U.S. Coast Guard
instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for going alongside a
vessel of interest and shall be accomplished in accordance with the Boat
Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5 (series), Chapter 10.
Step Action
1 Ensure that communications between the Defender Class boat and
the Operational Commander are established and reliable.
2 Attempt to make and establish contact with the vessel of interest
on designated marine band frequencies.
3 Make approach preparations and inform the crew. The coxswain
should determine where to make contact with the vessel.
WARNING
4 Conditions permitting, match your speed to the other vessel, and
then start closing in from the side.
5 Close at a 15- to 30-degree angle to the other vessel’s heading.
This should provide a safe rate of lateral closure at no more than
one-half the forward speed.
NOTE
WARNING
6 If contact has been made with the vessel of interest, determine if a
sea painter has been provided for going alongside. Also,
determine if a boarding ladder (if necessary) is available and
rigged.
Pick a contact point well clear of a larger vessel’s propeller
(including in the area of suction screw current), rudder, and quarter
wave. Forces from these could cause loss of control.
If your initial heading was parallel to the other vessel, you will have to
increase speed slightly when you start to close at an angle.
Applicable U.S. Coast Guard instructions and SOP must be strictly
adhered to when/if the Defender Class boat is in close proximity to
any vessel that fails to identify itself.
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