Coast Guard MSST, or Maritime Safety and Security Team, is a specialized, deployable unit focused on counter-terrorism, port security, and maritime law enforcement. Created after 9/11, MSSTs protect strategic shipping, critical infrastructure, and high-value vessels, with capabilities including maritime law enforcement, waterborne and shore-side security, underwater port security, and canine explosives detection. They are a quick response force capable of rapid, nationwide deployment via air, ground, or sea to assist with various operations like presidential protection, hurricane response, and border security. 

Key functions and capabilities

• Counter-terrorism: Protect strategic ports and waterways from terrorist threats, including those using submerged devices.
• Law enforcement: Conduct maritime law enforcement operations, including vessel boarding, search, and high-speed intercepts.
• Port security: Provide security for harbors, high-interest vessels, and critical infrastructure, sometimes working with underwater dive teams.
• Rapid deployment: Can deploy anywhere in the U.S. within 12 hours to respond to changing threat conditions or support other missions.
• Specialized skills: Personnel are trained in a range of skills including tactical boat operations, K9 explosives detection, and emergency response. 

Example missions and operations

• Security: Provide security for national political conventions, economic summits, and major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
• Emergency response: Assist with disaster relief efforts, such as hurricane response and recovery operations.
• Border security: Support operations along the U.S. southern border to detect and interdict threats.
• Force protection: Provide security for high-value targets and military outload operations. 
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  Coast Guard DSF refers to Deployable Specialized Forces, an elite group of U.S. Coast Guard units trained for high-risk, specialized maritime missions. The DSF includes specialized teams such as the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT), Maritime Safety & Security Teams (MSST), Port Security Units (PSU), National Strike Force (NSF), and Tactical Law Enforcement (TACLET) teams. They handle missions like counterterrorism, drug interdiction, and special event security. 
  Key aspects of Coast Guard DSFRoles: The units within the DSF handle a wide range of high-stakes missions, from tactical law enforcement and anti-terrorism to emergency response and port security.
  Tactical operations: DSF officers and operators conduct tactical operations such as CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive) detection, fast rope, and hook and climb operations.
  Unit examples:Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT): Rapidly deploys for higher-risk law enforcement and counterterrorism operations.
  Maritime Safety & Security Team (MSST): Provides port, waterway, and coastal security, including anti-terrorism capabilities.
  Port Security Unit (PSU): Deploys nationally and internationally to provide expeditionary port security.
  National Strike Force (NSF): Responds to hazardous material incidents.
  Tactical Law Enforcement (TACLET): Focuses on drug interdiction and maritime interception operations.
  Intense training: Service members in these units undergo rigorous training, requiring mental and physical preparation to operate under extreme stress and uncertainty.
  Mission focus: The DSF is often referred to as the “tip of the spear” for the Coast Guard, tackling complex threats that require highly skilled operators. 

The Coast Guard’s port security mission is 

to protect the nation’s maritime ports and waterways from threats, which includes preventing terrorist attacks, enforcing security zones, and securing critical infrastructure. This involves a range of activities, from routine patrols and boarding of vessels to specialized operations like escorting high-value ships and deploying Expeditionary forces overseas. 

Key aspects of the mission

• Deterrence and response: Conducts patrols and maintains a presence on the water to deter threats and respond to incidents, including terrorist acts and other security breaches.
• Force protection: Provides security for high-value assets, such as U.S. and international warships and military out-loads.
• Enforcement and control: Enforces security zones, controls access to ports, and conducts security boardings to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Maritime security operations: Executes specialized missions like Maritime Security Response Operations (MSRO), which involve a variety of security measures, from underwater port security to airborne use of force.
• Expeditionary security: Utilizes deployable specialized forces, known as Port Security Units (PSUs), to conduct anti-terrorism and security missions in ports and harbors, both domestically and overseas.
• Safety and compliance: Manages programs to ensure the safety and security of commercial facilities, cargo, and the overall marine transportation system.
• International cooperation: Works with international partners to enhance global maritime security and reduce risks to U.S. maritime interests. 
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  The U.S. Coast Guard’s port security mission, formally known as 
  Ports, Waterways, & Coastal Security (PWCS), is a critical homeland security mission aimed at protecting the U.S. Maritime Transportation System from terrorism, sabotage, espionage, and other subversive acts. 
  Key aspects of the mission include:
  
  Domestic Operations
  The Coast Guard works within U.S. waters to ensure the safety and security of ports and facilities, which are vital to national commerce and defense. 
  Security Zones and Patrols: Utilizing cutters, boats, and helicopters, the Coast Guard enforces security zones around critical infrastructure and high-value assets (HVAs), such as military vessels.
  Facility and Vessel Compliance: The Coast Guard oversees compliance with security regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), including inspecting facilities and commercial vessels to ensure anti-terrorism measures are in place.
  Specialized Teams: Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are rapid-response forces that conduct port state control boardings, augment local security during major marine events, and provide security in high-risk areas.
  Risk Assessment: The Coast Guard uses models like the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model (MSRAM) to assess terrorism threats to maritime critical infrastructure and allocate resources strategically. 
  
  Expeditionary and International Operations
  Port Security Units (PSUs) and the International Port Security (IPS) Program extend the Coast Guard’s security mission globally. 
  Port Security Units (PSUs): These are specialized, largely reserve-component, deployable forces that can be deployed worldwide within 96 hours to provide sustained expeditionary security and anti-terrorism force protection in support of Department of Defense (DoD) operations. They provide security for forward-deployed bases, ports, and sea lines of communication.
  International Port Security (IPS) Program: This program assesses the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures in foreign ports that send commerce to the U.S.. The goal is to mitigate the risk of importing terrorism via foreign commerce and to improve global port security through information sharing and capacity building with international partners.
  Conditions of Entry: The Coast Guard can impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving from countries that do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures, which can include additional security requirements or delays. 
  In essence, the mission involves a layered approach to security, combining domestic enforcement, specialized response teams, and international cooperation to protect the integrity of the U.S. and global maritime transport systems. 
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  Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) use a combination of standard-issue small arms, specialized watercraft, and enhanced tactical gear for their port security and anti-terrorism missions
  . 
  
  Weapons
  MSST personnel are equipped with both personal and crew-served weapons to provide layered defense. 
  Pistols: 9mm pistols, specifically the Glock 19 Gen5 MOS
  , which is replacing the older SIG Sauer P229R DAK.
  Rifles/Carbines: M4 and CQBR carbines are standard issue, with some M16 assault rifles still in limited service.
  Shotguns: Remington 870 12-gauge shotguns.
  Machine Guns:M240B 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns are typically mounted on their small boats.
  Browning M2 .50-caliber machine guns may also be used in some scenarios.
  Non-lethal Weapons: MSSTs also employ various less-than-lethal options, such as batons and pepper spray, as part of their law enforcement capabilities. 
  
  Equipment
  The equipment used by MSSTs is tailored for rapid response and maritime operations in various environments. 
  Watercraft: MSSTs primarily use specialized high-speed boats, such as the 25-foot Defender Class Response Boat–Homeland Security (RB-HS) and 32-foot Transportable Port Security Boats (TPSB), which are equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems.
  Non-Compliant Boarding Equipment: They are trained in techniques and equipped with gear for hook and climb operations to board non-compliant vessels.
  Tactical Gear: Personnel use standard tactical gear, including ballistic vests, communications suites, and specialized dry suits for cold-water immersion protection.
  Specialized Capabilities: MSSTs may also utilize:K-9 explosive detection units.
  Portable radiation detection equipment.
  Capabilities for vertical insertion (fast-roping from helicopters). 
  This combination of arms, vessels, and specialized training enables MSSTs to provide effective anti-terrorism force protection in the complex maritime environment. 
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  VBST stands for 
  Vessel Boarding and Security Team within the U.S. Coast Guard, a group that conducts tactical security and boarding operations to enforce maritime security. These teams are trained to protect waterfront facilities, enforce security zones, and conduct antiterrorism exercises, with both active duty and reserve members serving on these specialized units. 
  
  Key functions of a VBST
  Maritime security: VBSTs are a critical part of the Coast Guard’s Port, Waterways & Coastal Security (PWCS) mission, helping to protect against threats on the water.
  Tactical training: Members undergo rigorous training, which may involve live-fire exercises and tactical drills to prepare for real-world scenarios.
  Antiterrorism operations: These teams are trained to detect Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and participate in antiterrorism exercises.Vessel boardings: VBSTs conduct security boardings of various vessels to ensure compliance and security.Support: They support other units and operations, including large-scale events, and can be deployed to different ports.Types of units: The Coast Guard has several specialized units, including the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) and Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs), which work alongside VBSTs. 
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  VBST stands for Vessel Boarding Security Team, a United States Coast Guard (USCG) team primarily composed of Reserve personnel. These teams are tasked with ensuring maritime safety, security, and law enforcement through operations such as boarding and searching vessels. 
  
  Role and Operations
  Security and Law Enforcement: VBSTs perform a variety of port security and law enforcement functions. Examples from search results show Sector Boston’s VBST providing security assistance for events like the USCG Academy graduation ceremony.
  Training: Members conduct specific training related to their boarding and security roles.
  Reserve Component: These teams heavily rely on the USCG Reserve force, which means members can balance civilian careers with military service and benefits.
  Specialized Forces Relation: VBSTs are distinct from more specialized, full-time units like the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) and Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs), which are part of the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) for higher-risk operations including counter-terrorism. VBSTs generally focus on local port and waterways security.