VBSS Trainer

A Maritime Interdiction Training Site provides facilities to train individuals (Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps) in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) techniques under realistic conditions.  The facilities replicate the types of ships, conditions, and scenarios encountered in drug interdiction, force protection and anti-terrorist operations.

A ship simulator features five levels, numerous decks, hatches, and ladders, and eight separate areas with numerous compartments:  a bridge (accessible by hatch, ladder, caving ladder, and rappelling), Captain’s quarters, communications room, galley, mess, crew berthing area, engine room, engineering spaces, and cargo holds.

The site includes a 70-foot Rappelling / Fast Rope Tower - six story, multi-level with balconies, access windows, and a climbing wall.  The structure is topped with a UH-1H, "Huey", helicopter body with four fast rope positions simulating several types of helicopters, to enable ship boarding from a helicopter, which can “hover” from 60 feet to the deck.

The tower and helicopter are lighted for night training and have sound and wind effects.  Special effects and features include:

• hidden compartments
• flooding of lower decks from hidden scuttle valves
• non-toxic “movie” smoke
• smells
• heat
• steam
• sparks
• lighting effects,
• operating diesel engine.