RAND cites threats for ferries, cruise ships.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs

While the recently signed Port Security Improvement Act of 2006 has numerous provisions for inspecting inbound shipping containers, a Rand Corp. report suggests that ferries and cruise ships are easier and more likely terrorist targets.

"Maritime Terrorism: Threat, Consequences and Liability" examined the likelihood and impact of scenarios involving container and passenger ships. Its conclusion: while a nuclear weapon detonated in a U.S. port would have the greatest impact on human life and the economy, attacks on cruise ships and ferries would be relatively easy to carry out with conventional explosives or biological agents.

"Cruise ships in many ways resemble hotels, which terrorists have attacked in the past," Henry Willis, a Rand researcher and co-author of the report, said at a congressional briefing.

Ferries are particularly vulnerable because of the speed in which companies must board passengers, cargo and vehicles. All may contain hidden explosives. This leaves little time for inspection. Because of modern hull design, it...