VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

threat. Consequent rises in insurance rates for ships in this area may cause diversion resulting in a reduction
in the required protective effort.
(2) Shipping Control Points — an essential prerequisite for the establishment of accompaniment.
This is the designated point at which ships gather prior to routing through a risk area. Briefing on
organization and protective measures may be carried out at this point.
(3) Communications Reporting Gates — Should a less rigorous regime of control be required,
these reporting gates may be established. Ships are required to report at certain points (similar to
Port Vessel Control Systems) as they pass through an area. This allows passing of risk updates and assists
in picture compilation.
(4) Closure Areas — in order to keep unauthorized shipping away from embargoed ports/countries/areas,
closure areas could be established (with legal basis) and promulgated through appropriate
channels.
f. Continuity of Approach. By their very nature peacekeeping/embargo operations tend to be of
unspecified duration and can become drawn out affairs lasting, in some cases, many years. It is therefore
certain that units and individuals extending to the very top of the command chain will change. In order to
maintain the overall thrust of the operation and to ensure consistency of application of its intended measures,
it is vital that the means are put in place by the initial Task Force members and its Commander to pass
on this vital information to their successors. This can best be achieved by:
(1) Issue of a simplified Operation Order covering items addressed in this section.
(2) Issue of Standing OPGENs and OPTASKs — these should be reviewed by newly arrived
Commanders and revised as the operation develops.
(3) Face-to-face handover briefings between units.
(4) CTG/CTF brief to newly arrived units.
(5) Newly arrived CTF/CTG face-to-face brief with Area Commander.
(6) Effective liaison between land forces and air forces deployed ashore and other allied
commanders in the AOR.
8706 MISCELLANEOUS
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
a. Boarding Operations. EXTAC 1012 provides much comprehensive detailed guidance for
the conduct of boarding operations. This should be adopted or adapted to suit existing circumstances. In
any case, instructions to the Task Force will be required. Included in such instructions should be a standardized
set of warnings to be used should the target vessel/aircraft prove uncooperative. In the event that it
is assessed that opposed boardings are seen as a likely scenario, special training for select teams will be required
or Special Forces teams requested to be deployed.
b. Submarines in Support. The allocation of submarines to support these operations greatly
enhances the force’s capability in a number of areas:
(1) Indicators and Warning patrol — the covert nature of the submarine greatly increases the
Commander’s options in the placement of the patrol. As a result it is likely to be in forefront of intelligence
gathering. In allocating submarines to this type of operation the relative capabilities and endurance
of the different types (SSN v SSK v SSC) of submarine will have to be considered. In general terms
the smaller the submarine the more units will be required to support the patrol cycle.
8-48 CHANGE 2