Government officials and maritime industry leaders apparently perceive the terrorist threat at U.S. ports as remote and the risk minimal. The vulnerability of the ports, however, makes them potentially attractive to terrorists. Existing organizational structure is inadequate to meet the requirements of port security. No designated lead agency for port security exists, and no maritime counterterrorism plan is in place. Narrow, fragmented agency jurisdiction and diffuse authority are likely to produce confusion about authority to act and hence delay response. Officials have only a general idea about how agency actions are likely to interact during an assault, and gaps and duplications in duties are likely to be undetected until this happens. Given the unpredictability of terrorist activities, there will be no time to permit government agencies to address the complexities of creating a comprehensive net of physical protection for the ports. Government and industry must begin now to reassess and upgrade port security. 14 notes.