[Rapscallion]

I vaguely recall that they did get aboard, but found that the [crypto] equipment had already been removed.

The crypto equipment went to Russia so the KGB could exploit the crypto key material they were getting from the spies W/O John Walker and W/O Gerald Whitworth...according to the History Channel.

[gaijin]

In order to permit Marcinko and his team a chance to get onto the Pueblo soon after its capture, I remember it being felt that there had to be a diversion. There was a avery large-scale air operation somewhere nearby.

It was something very prominent that would earn the full attention of the DPRKs, which it did.