Special Operations.Com
U.S. Coast Guard
Port Security Units
PSUs are an important part of DPOSD force that support
military operations worldwide. They provide waterborne
and limited land-based protection for shipping and
critical port facilities at the end points of United
States' SLOCs. PSUs conduct operations in conjuction
with Harbor Defense Commands, Mobile Inshore Undersea
Warfare Units, Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachments
and other U.S. or coalition rear area forces.
PSUs are deployable 117-person units organized for
sustained operations. They are organized to deploy
with 112 selected reservists and 5 active duty personnel.
They can deploy within 96 hours and must be prepared
to establish limited operations within 24 hours of
arrival in theater. PSUs are equipped for an initial
30 days of sustained operations.
PSUs conduct operations within protected waters of
a port or harbor. The units are capable of worldwide
deployment except for areas of ice covered water.
The primary threats include high speed waterborne
craft, swimmer delivery vehicles and swimmers. Units
may also provide waterside security to vessels entering
or leaving seaports and to amphibious off-load vessels
operating in the near shore area.
Each PSU is equipped with 6 Transportable Port Security
Boats - 25' Boston Whalers outfitted with twin 175
horsepower outboard engines. The unit is also outfitted
with a large suite of weapons.
There are 6 PSUs. PSU base/shore facilities are in
the following locations:
Photo: Pusan,
Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2000 — U.S. Coast
Guard Port Security Unit 313 powers a 25-foot Transportable
Port Security Boat during Exercise Foal Eagle 2000.
These boats are used to protect high-value assets
from small boat and swimmer attacks. The exercise
is held annually in Pusan, Korea. This is the first
time the Coast Guard unit has deployed overseas.
Web Sites
Article: Active Duty
Port Security Units
PSU Boat Specifications
22'
TPSB "Raider" Boat
Length: 22' 3"
Beam: 7' 6"
Draft (engines up): 16"
Engines: Twin 150 HP OMC outboards, speed 40+kts
Crew: 3-4 (including Coxswain)
Weapons: M2HB .50 cal machine gun forward
M60 7.62MM machine gun aft
Electronics: Radar, VHF/FM marine radio with des encryption,
tri-band (HF/VHF/UNF) encrypted
25'
TPSB "Piranha" Boat
Length: 24' 7"
Beam: 8' 0"
Draft (engines up): 16"
Engines: Twin 150 HP OMC outboards, speed 40+kts
Crew: 3-4 (including Coxswain)
Weapons: M2HB .50 cal machine gun forward
M60 7.62MM machine gun aft
Electronics: Radar, VHF/FM marine radio with des encryption,
tri-band (HF/VHF/UNF) encrypted
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