London Bridge Trading 2564 visit board search and seizure vest
Bei Navy und Cost Guard in Verwendung, nicht bei SEALs (!)
The US Navy likes to keep their boarding party outfit simple and standard. At MS4 we’re fans of MOLLE and PALS webbing because it offers customization for individual preference and operational need, but we can understand the service’s commitment to standardization to avoid the dumb things that often happen when guys are allowed to trick out their own gear. Using a contract with London Bridge Trading Company (LBT), the Navy outfits their ships’ Visit, Board, Search & Seizure (VBSS) teams with the company’s LBT-2564A Kit, which includes everything they’ll need for flotation, ballistic protection, and load bearing.
The vest or carrier is a USCG approved Type V PFD with 17.5 lbs of buoyancy and internal pockets at the front, rear, and sides to allow for ballistic plates. A large center pocket at the top of the vest has internal lanyard ties for survival tools. Below that is another large center pocket. Outboard of these are four pockets, two on each side, for chem lights, pepper spray, flex cuffs, and a flashlight. All have hook and loop closures, a drain hole, and internal mesh for cooling and water drainage. On the back of the carrier is a drag handle, radio pouch, and hydration bladder. The vest is secured to the body and to an included belt with plastic side release buckles and optional crotch straps. A dual pistol magazine pouch, a chem/bio mask pouch, and a weapons catch are attached to the belt. Two thigh rigs are included, one for a sidearm and the other a dual M4 magazine pouch. A weapon sling and strobe pouch round out the system and can be placed as needed.
The kit’s bulky because of the extra girth added by the built in closed cell foam, but its not so severe that it inhibits normal movement. Although we’re not fans of wearing foam, it is easier to maintain and inspect than a TFSS or other auto or manual inflate PFD. There’s also no need for a quick release as foam isn’t prone to total failure and its rated buoyancy should keep even the heaviest sailor afloat.
We’re not sure why LBT and the USN decided to go with a thigh rig for the M4 magazines instead of mounting them to the front of the carrier, but it slows reloads and often requires the shooter to go to a slight crouch to remove the magazine from the pouch. It’s likely they’re mounted to the thigh because not every member of the boarding party is intended to carry an rifle. That’s one of our main issues with standardization. If you’re the odd man out shouldering a rifle, you’re now at a disadvantage in a firefight because it will take more effort to reload with this kit than it would with one designed custom for your needs. The main benefit of standardization is cost, not really operational need.
In addition to the LBT kit, VBSS sailors wear a standard cut Tactical Ballistic Helmet (TBH). All carry the 9mm Beretta 92F as their sidearm with a couple 5.56mm M4 carbines and M870 shotguns spread throughout the team. Weapon selection is solid with NATO agreements, but as always we’ll vote for a higher .40 cal sidearm and chopped down Mk-18 MOD 1.
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