The equipment list reveals the tension between demolition capability, six days of endurance, and the fragility of a canvas craft. Each kayak carried eight limpet mines, three sets of paddles, navigation and repair gear, camouflage, grenades, rations, water, pistols, and tools for holding and arming the charges. The nominal safe load was only about 480 pounds, so every item competed with crew weight and seaworthiness. Six named two-man teams were organized into two divisions, with a thirteenth Marine carried as a reserve.
Chapter · 56:10-58:34
Kayak loads, weapons, and raiding teams
Each two-man kayak carried limpet mines, survival stores, repair equipment, weapons, and redundant paddles within a tight safe-load limit.