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| U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Maritime Security Response Team |
| Caption | Insignia of a maritime counter-terrorism unit |
| Dates | 2004–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Coast Guard |
| Type | Maritime counterterrorism, interdiction |
| Role | Tactical law enforcement, hostage rescue, high-risk boardings |
| Garrison | Deployable units; ashore in major seaports |
| Nickname | MSRT |
U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team
The Maritime Security Response Team is a deployable, specialized tactical unit of the United States Coast Guard organized to conduct maritime interdiction, counterterrorism, and high-risk law enforcement operations. It operates alongside federal partners such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, United States Navy, and United States Customs and Border Protection to protect critical Port of New York and New Jersey, Port of Los Angeles, and other major seaports. The unit conducts specialized missions in cooperation with task forces under the Department of Homeland Security, United States Northern Command, and regional Joint Task Force commands.
The Maritime Security Response Team provides advanced maritime tactical capabilities absent in conventional Coast Guard units, delivering rapid-response boarding teams, precision marksmanship, close-quarters battle, and crisis stabilization. It complements assets such as Maritime Safety and Security Teams, Coast Guard Cutters, and Coast Guard Stations to secure choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, Panama Canal, and strategic harbors. The MSRT is trained to execute interdictions against actors associated with transnational organized crime, piracy, and terrorism networks referenced in National Strategy for Maritime Security documents and supports interagency operations tied to statutes like the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
The MSRT was formed after the September 2001 attacks and subsequent policy shifts driven by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and maritime security concerns highlighted by events such as the USS Cole bombing and incidents involving Somali piracy. Its creation drew doctrinal influence from units such as the United States Navy SEALs, Special Boat Teams, and international counterparts like Special Boat Service and Special Air Service. Early deployments supported counter-piracy efforts during Operation Enduring Freedom and cooperative training with partners including Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Canadian Forces. Program evolution incorporated lessons from notable incidents including the 2000 USS Cole bombing and operations against narcotics trafficking linked to cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel.
MSRT organization is modular and scalable, organized into tactical assault, sniper, breaching, and tactical boat elements capable of embarked operations with National Security Cutters, Legend-class cutters, and smaller patrol craft. Command relationships include operational control under local Coast Guard District commanders and tasking from the Maritime Security Operations Center or joint interagency task forces like Joint Interagency Task Force South. Personnel may be seconded to multi-agency task forces including the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force or attached to United States Indo-Pacific Command mission sets. Logistics, medical, and intelligence support are coordinated with entities such as Defense Intelligence Agency and Homeland Security Investigations.
Primary missions include maritime counterterrorism, high-risk boardings, hostage rescue, tactical vessel interdiction, maritime hostage recovery, and support to presidential security details. Capabilities encompass fast-roping from helicopters such as the MH-60 Jayhawk and MH-65 Dolphin, small boat insertions using rigid-hull inflatable boats similar to those used by Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, precision sniper engagements, breaching and close-quarters battle techniques drawn from Special Operations Forces doctrine, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear mitigation coordination with United States Coast Guard Investigative Service. The MSRT also executes protections for high-profile events like Super Bowls held in port cities and major international summits such as G20 meetings.
Selection emphasizes maritime marksmanship, swim and dive proficiency, small unit tactics, and legal training in authorities under statutes such as the Posse Comitatus Act exceptions for maritime law enforcement and the Insurrection Act when applicable. Training pipelines include live-fire ranges, close-quarters battle schools, maritime boarding exercises alongside the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, and interagency cross-training with the FBI Hostage Rescue Team and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. International exercises have involved partners from NATO, Five Eyes, and regional navies during drills like RIMPAC and bilateral exercises with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
MSRT uses specialized small arms (carbines, designated marksman rifles, and suppressed weapons) similar to those employed by United States Special Operations Command units, breaching gear, and maritime surveillance systems integrating data from Automatic Identification System networks and shore-based radar. Vessel assets for deployment include fast-response boats, cutter-based rigid-hull inflatable boats, and embarked helicopter detachments from Coast Guard Air Stations. For extended operations, units operate from National Security Cutters, Fletcher-class—style patrol craft, and medium endurance cutters, coordinating with Joint Interagency Task Force South logistics and NATO maritime support vessels.
MSRT elements have supported counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, interdicted high-risk boardings in the Caribbean Sea targeting narcotics shipments linked to transnational criminal organizations, and provided maritime security for international events such as APEC and NATO summits in port cities. The unit has participated in joint exercises with the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Australian Defence Force and supported disaster-response operations alongside United States Northern Command and Federal Emergency Management Agency during events that imperiled port infrastructure. Interagency missions have included coordination with the FBI during maritime terrorism investigations and support to Customs and Border Protection for complex interdictions.
Category:United States Coast Guard units Category:Special operations units of the United States