KEEL Score Methodology
KEEL Score is a proprietary assessment of the information documented about a vessel in the KEEL Works record. It is expressed on a scale of 0 to 1,000.
This document describes Version 2.2 of the KEEL Vessel Intelligence Score methodology.
1. What the KEEL Score measures.
KEEL Score is calculated from documented vessel information, including maintenance history, service records, equipment age, ownership continuity, inspection data, and other available factors. As additional information becomes available, the score may increase or decrease.
The score describes the information available to KEEL Works about a vessel. It is a measurement of the documented record, not of the vessel.
2. What the KEEL Score does not state.
A KEEL Score is not a statement that a vessel is seaworthy, safe, sound, or free from defect, and it does not predict whether any component will perform or fail. It is not a marine survey, a professional marine engineering assessment, an inspection, a warranty, a certification, or a guarantee of any kind.
A KEEL Score does not direct any decision. Decisions regarding the maintenance, repair, purchase, sale, insurance, financing, or operation of a vessel remain solely with the vessel's owner and any professionals that owner chooses to engage.
Information in the record reflects conditions observed at specific points in time under specific observable conditions, and is subject to the limitations described in the Terms of Use.
3. How the score is calculated.
The score is the sum of six factors. Each factor has a maximum contribution:
KEEL record age up to 100 points Vessel profile completeness up to 100 points Documented service history up to 150 points Inspection data up to 250 points Issue Record up to 250 points Preventative maintenance schedule up to 150 points
Factors are computed from records held by KEEL Works at the time the score is displayed. Some factors reward the presence of documentation; others reflect whether scheduled maintenance and reported issues have been recorded as addressed. A vessel that has recently entered the system will have earned fewer points in the time-weighted factors regardless of its condition.
4. Score ranges.
950–1000 Exceptional 900–949 Excellent 850–899 Very Good 800–849 Good 700–799 Fair Below 700 Limited Documented History
These ranges are descriptive groupings of the numeric score. They are not ratings of a vessel, and they do not appear on the KEEL Score mark itself.
5. Why there is no low-end rating.
The lowest range is described as Limited Documented History rather than with an adverse label. A score in that range indicates that comparatively little information has been documented — for example because records are sparse, because documentation has been deferred, or because the vessel recently entered the system. It is not a statement that the vessel is inferior, deficient, or in poor condition.
6. The score is current, not permanent.
A vessel does not earn, receive, or achieve a KEEL Score. A vessel currently has a KEEL Score, and that score changes as the underlying record changes. Documenting maintenance, completing scheduled service, recording an inspection, resolving reported issues, and maintaining a complete vessel profile will generally increase a score over time. Scores may also decrease, including when scheduled maintenance becomes overdue or when time-weighted factors decay.
7. Versioning.
Each score is displayed together with the version of the methodology used to calculate it. When the factors, their weights, or the ranges change, the version is incremented and this document is republished. Scores calculated under different versions of the methodology are not directly comparable.
8. Questions.
Prow Equity LLC, operating as KEEL Works. Attn: Jared Northrop, 2810 N Church St, PMB 951690, Wilmington, Delaware 19802-4447. Email: jnorthrop@prowequity.com.