Maritime Raid Force - NSW RHIB

Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) Maritime Raid Force (MRF) board a vessel during maritime interoperability training, Jan.

2015.

The MRF boarding team was delivered to their objective on an 11-meter-long NSW rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB).

This is the same design as the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) RHIB operated by SWCCs in support of the SEALs.

These boats are used by Marine Corps teams operating from San Antonio class amphibious transport docks in the marine interdiction / VBSS role.

They are crewed by 3 sailors and carry an 8-man Marine boarding team.

The variants employed by the Marines feature a lifting bail which allows them to be launched and recovered by their motherships.

The NSW RHIBs feature forward and aft gun mounts where M240 or M2 machine guns may be fitted (M240s are mounted in the above boat).