[mgolawala]

Also imagine a boarding like this occurring at night. Sure night vision goggles are ubiquitous at this point, but it is still going to be a smaller/stealthier approach compared to a helicopter.

Also boardings can be done safely in far more situations, much further out to sea. You can carry a few of these on pretty much any patrol boat, a helicopter needs a take off/landing site and has an operating distance.