COLUMBIA--On what could be the eve of war, South Carolina officials increased security throughout the state, expressed support for the troops overseas -- and prayed.

Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday that his office had been in contact with the federal Homeland Security office this week following the agency's upgrade of the nation's terror alert, talking about ways to coordinate state and federal efforts to guard against attacks.

Sanford said he and State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart have added security at locations across the state, particularly the Port of Charleston, but said they had no evidence to prompt them to deploy the South Carolina National Guard.

YALONDA M. JAMES/STAFF The U.S. Coast Guard patrols near the Columbus St. port terminal as the Wando Welch port terminal appears in the background Tuesday.

"As we did when the threat level was raised last month, we're working very closely with Director (Tom) Ridge and his staff to make sure we're doing everything we can to protect South Carolina's critical assets," Sanford said.

The governor finds himself in a rare position this week. While he directs the state's armed forces, he'll be in the middle of federal military training. The governor has been ordered to report at 5 a.m. Sunday to Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama for part of his Air Force Reserves training.

Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond said that will not keep the governor from directing any state action needed as a result of the impending war or threat of attacks and that he'll keep in touch with his chief of staff, Fred Carter. There will be no transfer of power to Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.

"We have a communications support staff already in place," Drummond said. "Dr. Carter will handle that."

Meanwhile, the state House of Representatives had a moment of silence in support of the troops. House Speaker David Wilkins said, "In the coming hours, days and weeks ahead, may God grant our leaders wisdom, our military courage, and our country strength, protection and grace."

Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, introduced a resolution expressing support for the troops that the House is expected to pass today.

"The men and women of our military are there to do a job," Limehouse said. "Whether you support our efforts against Iraq or not, it's important to show support for the great men and women of our military, our president and his Cabinet members as we move into these troubled times."

Local officials with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port of Charleston are tightening security in area waters and around shipping terminals.

With the State Ports Authority's container imports accounting for about 7 percent of the nation's total, security concerns here are as a real as anywhere. The numbers raise concerns that a terrorist could hide a weapon inside one.

Since December, ships have had to submit a declaration 24 hours before cargo is loaded at a foreign port, and U.S. Customs has inspectors at these ports to screen U.S.-bound cargo.

The number of containers inspected on U.S. shores is debated but is somewhere between 2 percent and 4 percent.

"Our No. 1 goal is to protect our communities and facilities while at the same time keeping cargo moving," SPA spokesman Byron Miller said.

The SPA police force is about 62 strong with one bomb-sniffing dog named B.J., Miller said.

In Charleston, about 300 Coast Guard reservists and active-duty members are assisting in port security, said Petty Officer Judy Silverstein, a spokeswoman for the Charleston Coast Guard Station.

"We consider the coastline a border for the Coast Guard and we are increasing patrols and we can respond to an increased threat level with more aircraft," she said. "Any high-interest vessel that arrives in the Port of Charleston will have Coast Guard armed sea marshals on it."

Vessels might attract higher interest because of where they are coming from, what is on board or who is on the crew. Vessels of more than 300 tons must notify authorities 96 hours before arriving at the port, she said.

Boaters and mariners can expect to see a greater Coast Guard presence on the water and in the air and should be prepared to show photo identification, a Coast Guard statement said.

Security zones around bridges spanning the Cooper River remain in effect. Vessels are prohibited from anchoring, mooring or loitering within 60 feet of the bridges.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. said the city was ready for disasters even before Sept. 11, having had practice with hurricanes. Since then, the city has upped security measures, and with war looming, it is even more alert, he said.

"We've raised that level of readiness even higher," he said. "We are alert and we are ready and we are prepared."

Riley said residents have a role to play, and he asked them to contact law enforcement if they notice anything unusual or odd.

He added, however, that residents should not change the way they live their lives out of fear of terrorism.

"Life will go on as usual, and it should go on as usual," he said.

Kevin Titus, executive director of the Carolina Lowcountry chapter of the Red Cross, recommended that residents put together a disaster kit with such items as food, water and medical supplies. Duct tape, made famous after federal officials recommended it for use in protecting against terrorism, might be useful, too, he said.

Debra Engel, federal security director for Charleston International Airport, said that there are increased foot patrols at the airport as well as more thorough vehicle inspections. She said travelers should allow more time to offset increased security measures.

Law enforcement officials said they are prepared for possible threats, but they were reluctant to describe their security efforts in detail. Officers have been reminded to remain vigilant for suspicious activity, and agencies are keeping a careful eye on possible targets, including airports, port facilities, rail lines, bridges and public buildings.

During a heightened terrorism alert period last month, few police agencies called in extra manpower. Most had contingency plans to put more officers on the streets should a threat become apparent. Charleston police, for example, said they could have dozens of extra officers on hand within 45 minutes if needed.

North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt said he discussed the elevated alert status with his officers Tuesday and felt confident area agencies are ready to respond to terrorist threats.

"We're prepared, and we have the staffing," he said. "Our department, Charleston County, and the city of Charleston -- we have officers out on the road, and we're ready to respond if something does occur."

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, local agencies have trained for a possible strike in the Lowcountry. Last June, about 200 Charleston County emergency workers took part in a drill designed to test their ability to respond to a bombing involving mass casualties at the North Charleston Coliseum during a circus performance.

In November, Charleston police also sent four officers to Israel to study the methods of suicide bombers and other terrorists with Israeli police and military investigators.

Zumalt said he worries most about not detecting a possible terrorist strike before it occurs. He and other officials said residents need to remain alert and contact police if they spot any suspicious individuals or activities.

"Citizens still need to be reminded that we face a threat on our own soil in addition to the threats American citizens face overseas," said Capt. Dana Valentine, a Charleston County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

"It's incumbent upon them to keep watch for any potential threat or people who may pose a threat."

Jason Hardin, Ron Menchaca, Glenn Smith and the Associated Press contributed to this report.