NJ State Police Conduct Naval Boarding Exercise at Battleship New Jersey
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Members of an elite New Jersey State Police unit were practicing their maritime vessel boarding skills this morning at the Battleship New Jersey.
"Well, today's exercise is part of an ongoing training for boat operations -- boarding and tactical maneuvering on large ships," said police lieutenant Stephen Jones.
Jones says the unit -- dubbed "TEAMS" (Technical Emergencies And Mission Specialists) -- is the New Jersey state police version of SWAT.
Interestingly, the technique they were practicing today -- using a two-inch "fast rope" to quickly lower themselves onto the ship from a hovering helicopter -- is similar to what the Navy Seals used on Sunday to insert themselves into the compound housing Osama bin Laden.
Some private contractors, but no Navy Seals, also took part in the exercise, according to Jones.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio 1060
