Ship in channel around resort (8)
I believe the answer is:
dispatch
'ship' is the definition.
(I know that dispatch is a more specific form of ship)
'channel around resort' is the wordplay.
'channel' becomes 'ditch' (a small channel or trench in the ground).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'resort' becomes 'spa' (spa is a kind of resort).
'ditch' placed around 'spa' is 'DISPATCH'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for dispatch that I've seen before include "Kill, send off" , "Post, perhaps" , "Execute" , "Communication" , "Send with speed" .)