Invaluable ASSeTs
What are the items that the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT) operators have on them when they carry out boarding and search operations on commercial vessels out at sea?// Story by Benita Teo / Photos by Chai Sian Liang / Layout by Lawrence Chiam
Weapons
1) MP5 submachine gun and 9mm round magazine
The MP5 is an ASSeT operator’s primary weapon. The 68cm-long gun weighs about 2.7kg fully loaded and has an effective range of 200m. It features a buttstock that can be folded in when the gun is not in use, giving the operator more mobility when climbing the Jacob’s Ladder or navigating tight spaces on board ships
2) P30L pistol and 9mm round magazine
The P30L pistol is the operator's secondary weapon. This 19.5cm-long pistol has an effective range of 50m. When fully loaded with the 9mm round, it weighs about 800g.
Combat belt
3) Side-flotation device
These life-saving pouches – which sit on the right and left side of the combat belt – automatically inflate when submerged in water. They keep the operators afloat if they fall overboard.
4) P30L pistol holster
This holster contains the P30L pistol, and is fastened to the operator’s right thigh.
Armour plate carrier
5) Ballistic armour plates
These hard Kevlar plates, slotted into the armour plate carrier, weigh up to 3.6kg in total. They protect the operator from high-velocity projectiles, such as bullets and shrapnel.
6) Hydrating backpack
The backpack contains a water pouch that carries up to three litres of water. Operators drink through a tube that is attached to the water pouch, from a mouthpiece that sits on the left shoulder of their armour plate carrier.
Protective wear
7) Protective gloves
Operators board commercial vessels using a Jacob’s Ladder. These thick gloves protect their hands from rope burn and provide traction, allowing them to maintain a firm grip when scaling heights of up to 9m.
8) Ballistic helmet
The helmet protects the operator’s head from impact as well as high-velocity projectiles like bullets and shrapnel. The operator can tighten the helmet by twisting a knob at the back for a more comfortable fit.
Tools for subduing suspects
9) Flexi-cuffs
These are plastic handcuffs used by operators to apprehend suspects and subdue violent or uncooperative crew on the merchant vessels. Unlike metal cuffs, they are lightweight and disposable, and the pliable material is durable without injury-causing sharp edges.
10) Flexi-cuff cutter
These are used for removing the flexi-cuffs.
11) Oleoresin Capsicum Spray
Commonly known as pepper spray, operators may use this to cause discomfort to assailants, so that they can be easily restrained at close range.
12) Retractable baton
With the flick of a wrist, this steel baton extends fully to reach 21 inches or 53.3cm in length. An operator may use the baton in self-defence to neutralise violent suspects.
First-aid kit and other devices
13) Personal first-aid kit
Operators carry items such as gauze, scissors and a tourniquet to administer emergency first-aid on themselves or their buddies. These are carried in a modular storage pouch attached to the armour plate carrier.
14) Torchlight & 15) Mirror
The torchlight and mirror help the operators to carry out checks in narrow gaps or hard-to-reach places.
16) Walkie-talkie
Operators use these to communicate with their team while carrying out checks around the different parts of the merchant vessels.
Get ready with CPL Rhineson Kok as he gears up to board a merchant vessel!
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