(photo courtesy US Navy
Photographer's Mate 1st Class Andy McKaskle)

There are two main targets for maritime assault; ships and oil platforms. Both have been assaulted by SEALs in past missions, Rigs being assaulted in the Gulf war and an Iranian Minelayer in 1988. In the gulf war, helicopters were used for insertion on to the oil rigs due to their speed and range. However, surface vessels such as the 10-meter RIB or the underwater SDV (SEAL Delivery Vehicle) can also be used. If the target is stationary, swimmers can assault the ship without any of these vehicles, providing they are close enough to make the swim.

CQB Equipment lists These lists were taken from the "SEAL Combat Boarding Manual" which was published in 1992. Due to the dynamic nature of Special Warfare, it is logical to expect that some of the equipment and weapons have changed since the original publication.
Individual Operators	Door Breacher	Sniper

Images from NavySEALTeams.com

In 1988, members of SEAL Team Two were stationed in the Northern Persian Gulf to help combat Iranian aggression against oil freighters. Using two barges, The Wimbrown VII and the Hercules as their operating Bases, SEALs patrolled the sea searching for minelayers thought to be illegally mining the local waters. In one instance AH-58 helicopters attached to the SEALs found one. The vessel was taken under fire while a boatfull of SEALs were dispatched. They successfully boarded the minelayer and were able to show to the world evidence of Iran's illegal activity.

During the Gulf War, several Kuwaiti oil rigs were occupied by Iraqi forces. When the decision was made to remove the Iraqi forces from them, the SEALs were the first to be called.

(photo courtesy DoD Defence Link)

Heliborne Assault

Before the mission, the assault force plans routes that will be used to gain control of the target. On ships, the bridge is usually the first objective due to its importance as the nerve center of the ship. The assault teams choose routes that are as direct as possible to the bridge but don't put the operators in unnecessary jeopardy. Movements are conducted in a "bounding overwatch" mode, where one part of the team is always covering the other. In this manner, any enemy sighted can be taken under immediate fire without the moving operators having to navigate a treacherous deck and shoot at the same time. The number of aircraft used to deposit the SEALs on the deck of the target depends on which aircraft is used. MH-60's of the Army's Nightstalkers and USAF Special Operations Wings can carry a full squad of eight SEALs, but some Navy types can only carry three operators. HH-60's of the Naval Reserve's HCS-4 and HCS-5 can carry up to 8 operators, depending on how friendly they can get with each other. Typically, the assault force is joined by two other aircraft that each carry a sniper/observation team. Each aircraft will cover one side of the target during the insertion and assault.

Surface assault

(Photo courtesy of Combative Concepts) SEALs can also assault ships or rigs from the surface. The Navy Special Boat Units have a large array of boats that can be used for patrol and assault. For instance, a RIB or CRRC (Combat Rubber Raiding Craft) can be used to deliver squads of SEALs to the base of an oil rig or the stern of a ship. From there, the SEALs can climb onto the deck and assault their target. (photo courtesy DoD Defence Link)

Subsurface assault

SEALs can be brought to their targets by underwater transportation as well, either through Submarine or SDV's. Once out into the water, SEAL teams will link themselves together with a derigging line to keep themselves in formation and swim the rest of the way to the target. Once there, a ladder is raised to the deck with a painter's pole and attached in place. Leaving their swimming gear attached to the ladder, the SEALs can begin their assault after the point-man OK's their climb to the deck.