SEATTLE -- KIRO Team 7 Investigators go undercover to repeatedly expose huge gaps in security at the Port of Seattle.

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Video: Hidden Camera Investigation Finds Security Gaps At Port

Based on our warning, security has already changed -- making it tougher for potential terrorists and dangerous cargo to enter ships.

Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne spent several months punching holes in security up and down the coast.

KIRO Team 7 Investigators documented dozens of violations of access control at several terminals. Getting next to ships and valuable cargo containers was too easy.

We can't share with you all the flaws, but it's safe to say getting into the port didn't take us more than a few seconds.

Every Saturday morning, trucks roll onto the Seattle docks. No need to slow down for a guard shack at Terminal 18. It's empty.

Various guards shows up later, but don't enhance security much as we watched them routinely wave truckers through without checking ID.

"No. That's standard procedure. There's nobody ever comes out and questions what you're doing," said a veteran trucker.

The driver could lose his job if caught talking to KIRO Team 7 Investigators, maybe even land in jail for showing us security holes at the Port of Seattle. He's speaking out for fear terrorists will take advantage of security lapses here.

"I have never yet -- ever -- seen a container opened up for them to inspect what's inside it. Somebody could plant a bomb in one and haul it there and just, it's not hard to duplicate the paperwork or anything, run it in, drop it and leave, and you're gone," the trucker said.

KIRO Team 7 Investigators decided to test security beyond the easy-access entry point at Gate 18. Surely armed guards wouldn't allow just anyone into a known terror target.

We didn't have to sneak or climb a fence. With the help of an authorized professional hauler, KIRO Team 7 Investigators drove a truck through the gate.

This time, the guard didn't even get out of his chair. We entered secured shipping areas and lingered for hours. We could touch shipping containers at will.

No security ever asked us what we were doing or who we were. Nobody asked us to leave, or for ID.

"If you had been guys with bad intent, if you would have been terrorists ... that's a mess," said Robert Ramsey, a security consultant.

While in the military, Ramsey sneaked into foreign countries as a spy. He watched the ease of our entry into the Port of Seattle with some alarm.

"Your mind gets to thinking about nightmare scenarios and seeing video like this is just another one to think about, if security is that lax," Ramsey said.

When we called the Port of Seattle to inform them of security lapses, a curious thing happened. KIRO Team 7 Investigators were immediately placed on a federal watch list.

My name and description are posted at all these guard shacks. I am considered a threat.

The watch list ploy appears to us an attempt at intimidation. However, Port of Seattle spokesperson Mick Schultz says he called federal agents at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for a different reason.

"On principal, it's important to take the whole security issue seriously, whether it be a reporter doing an investigative story or someone who may in fact represent a threat," Schultz said.

The Coast Guard captain in charge of security for all area shipping yards says he does not consider us or our investigation a threat.

"I told everyone we need to take this seriously. We can't let this stuff happen here, at least not on my watch it won't happen," said Capt. Danny Ellis of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Video: Security Holes Get Fixed

Capt. Ellis says a new federal law requires tougher access control and container security by July 1. It will be the private shipping companies and the Port of Seattle's responsibility to make that happen.

"We're very concerned. The Madrid bombing, big chaos. We don't want that to happen on the West Coast. One day shut-down costs Puget Sound $280 million," Ellis said.

The Coast Guard uses computer tracking for ships and cargo arriving from overseas. That system works, but our videotape reveals troubling security gaps when trucks, containers and people arrive via land.

We observed private, often low-paid security guards, too often fail to follow basic rules.