What does port risk mean in a marine survey?

UPDATED 12 NOVEMBER 2026 · 1 SOURCE

Port risk is cover for a boat only while it's in port or ashore. When a surveyor recommends it, and how NAMS says to word it in an underwriting report.

DEFINITION

Port risk

Insurance terms under which a boat is covered only while in port or ashore. NAMS advises surveyors to recommend it in bold when they find a boat unseaworthy.

ALSO CALLED: PORT RISK COVER

Port risk means a boat is insured only while it's in port or ashore, with no cover at sea. The NAMS guidelines for writing yacht survey reports say that when an underwriting inspection finds a boat inherently unseaworthy, or a condition that could pose an immediate hazard, the report should carry a bold statement recommending the boat be placed on port risk, afloat or ashore.

What a surveyor checks

Whether any finding makes the boat unfit to go to sea: a hull or through-hull that could sink it, fire or explosion risk, steering or rig failure. NAMS adds that conditions risking injury, sinking, dismasting or fire call for an immediate notice to the owner, before the written report.

In the report

"Recommend the vessel be placed on port risk, ashore, until the cracked port seacock body is replaced and the installation inspected."

Frequently asked

When should a surveyor recommend port risk?

NAMS says an underwriting report should carry a bold statement recommending port risk, afloat or ashore, when the findings show the boat is unseaworthy or could pose an immediate hazard.

Related terms

Glossary

SURVEY TERMS

Condition and valuation (C&V)

A boat survey that reports the boat's condition and ends with the surveyor's opinion of its market value, often asked for by insurers and lenders.

SURVEY TERMS

Haul-out

Lifting a boat out of the water, usually in a travel hoist, so the surveyor can inspect and sound the hull below the waterline.

SURVEY TERMS

HIN

The 12-character number moulded or fixed on a boat's transom that identifies its builder, serial number and build and model year, like a car's VIN.

SURVEY TERMS

Limitation period

The time after a survey within which a client can bring a claim. In England and Wales it's generally six years for a claim in contract.

SURVEY TERMS

LOA, beam and draft

A boat's three main dimensions. LOA is its length from end to end, beam its greatest width, and draft how deep it sits below the waterline.

SURVEY TERMS

Moisture meter

A hand-held meter that a surveyor presses against a fibreglass hull or deck to compare moisture levels across it, finding wet laminate and wet core.

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