There is no inherent reason maritime targets should be immune from the general increase and spread of international and domestic terrorism. There are, however, practical tactical problems for terrorists that deter or inhibit subnational terrorist activity against ships on the high seas and other offshore targets. These constraints do not apply to ships in harbors, port, or shore-based maritime facilities. Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should be prepared to deploy a limited naval force against terrorism. Medium and smaller States might pool their resources to produce a viable general-purpose fleet to assist in such tasks. The force required should be self-contained and mobile to have the capability of operating where no land-based forces or air power can be deployed. In addition to undertaking defensive measures, an antiterrorist navy should be prepared to destroy terrorist bases, rescue hostages, intercept and capture terrorists, and enforce a punitive economic blockade. Civilian merchantmen and their crews as well as the staff which work in ports and harbors should be trained to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks.