FAQ

Yes. Reading ratings and browsing the map is free for everyone. Submitting reports requires a free account.

Every report rates a berth across seven categories on a 0–5 scale, where 5 is best. Four feed the safety score (Access / Gangway, Fenders / Proximity, Quay Condition, Mooring Safety) and three feed a separate facilities score (Crew Welfare, Port Infrastructure, Access to potable water). A berth's safety score is the average of its safety categories; facilities are scored separately. A port's score is the average across its rated berths only, so berths without a report don't move the number. That is why a port can show "Score averaged across N rated berth(s)". Each safety score maps to a band you can read at a glance: 4.0–5.0 Excellent · 3.0–3.9 Good · 2.0–2.9 Marginal · 1.0–1.9 Poor · 0.0–0.9 Critical. Facilities use their own band: Well-equipped · Adequate · Basic · Limited · Minimal. Reports are community submitted. Photos may carry a GPS tag, which we check against the berth location. Other seafarers can confirm a report, adding their own rating and photo. Both reports and confirmations feed the score, each weighted by the contributor's level, and a score stays Preliminary until the first confirmation. A single report is a signal, not a verdict, so always combine it with your own passage planning and official sources. Something wrong or outdated? Use "Suggest a correction" on the port, or add your own report.

Each berth has two scores, safety and facilities, and each is the weighted average of the reports on that group of categories. A report's weight comes from the author's contributor level (higher levels count for more) and how recent it is (older reports fade). A confirmation by another seafarer is its own data point in that average, carrying the confirmer's level and date. There is no statistical prior: a berth with no reports simply shows "No data". A score is marked Preliminary until a second seafarer confirms a report, after which it becomes established.

No. Reports are weighted by the author's contributor level. Every seafarer starts as a Lookout and earns higher levels (Watchkeeper, Beacon, Lodestar) as their reports are confirmed and as they confirm others. A higher level gives a report more weight in the score. Reputation is earned through your track record on cBerth, never through paperwork, so you can start the moment you sign up.

Every seafarer starts as a Lookout. As your reports are confirmed by others, and as you confirm reports yourself, you earn your way up through Watchkeeper, Beacon, and Lodestar. A higher level carries more weight in a berth's score, because it reflects a track record the community has stood behind. Levels are earned through what you contribute on cBerth, never through paperwork. Your first promotion comes after a few of your reports are confirmed; each further level takes more. Reports removed by moderation don't count toward your level, and each promotion is reviewed before it takes effect. Your level and your public activity (reports and confirmations) are visible to other seafarers on your profile.

Seven categories on a 0–5 scale, in two groups. Safety (these set the safety score): Access / Gangway · Fenders / Proximity · Quay Condition · Mooring Safety. Facilities (scored separately): Crew Welfare · Port Infrastructure · Access to potable water.

A right-of-reply feature for port operators is planned for the next release. Operators will be able to submit official statements visible below disputed reports.

Use the Flag button on any report. Multiple independent flags trigger automatic hiding pending review. You can also submit a formal takedown request for legally sensitive content.

Yes. All data is hosted in EU-based data centres and processed in compliance with the GDPR.