This Privacy Policy explains what information Mariners Online (“we,” “us”) collects when you visit marinersonline.com, how we use it, and the choices you have.
What we collect
Information our host collects automatically
The site is hosted by Netlify. Like any web host, Netlify automatically records basic technical information — such as IP address, browser type, the page requested, and the time of the visit — to deliver pages and protect the site from abuse. This is handled under Netlify’s privacy policy.
Information you choose to send us
If you email us, we receive your email address and whatever you include in your message. We use it only to reply to you.
Newsletter
If you sign up for From the Bridge, Captain Mike’s monthly email, your email address is stored and the emails are sent by our email provider, Kit. Kit sends you a confirmation email first; you’re not added until you click it. Pages with the signup box load a small script from Kit to run the form, and that script may set a cookie so Kit recognizes that you’ve already signed up. Kit records whether our emails are opened and which links are clicked, and we may look at those totals to see what readers find useful. We don’t sell or share your address. Every email has an unsubscribe link, and you can also email us to be removed.
What we don’t collect
- We do not use analytics or advertising trackers.
- We do not set tracking cookies. (The newsletter signup form uses a script from Kit that may set a cookie, as described below.)
- The sea-time calculator, search, and other tools run entirely in your browser. What you type into them is not sent to us or stored.
Please don’t send us sensitive documents
We never need your Social Security number, MMC or TWIC numbers, medical records, or copies of your credentials. Send those only to the Coast Guard or TSA through official channels.
How we use information
- To answer your questions and messages.
- To keep the site running and secure.
What we do not do
- We do not sell your personal information.
- We do not share your personal information for advertising.
Links to other sites
We link to government sites such as the NMC and eCFR, and to schools and other resources. Those sites have their own privacy practices, which we do not control.
If this changes
If we add analytics, affiliate links, or paid products, we will update this policy before those features go live and explain what they collect and how to opt out.
Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
Because we do not track visitors across sites or sell or share personal information, there is nothing for these signals to switch off today. If that ever changes, we will honor Global Privacy Control signals as an opt-out.
Your privacy rights
You can ask us what personal information we have about you (usually only emails you’ve sent), ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Email captk@marinersonline.com. We will not treat you differently for making a request.
Data retention
We keep email correspondence only as long as needed to help you, or until you ask us to delete it. Hosting logs are kept according to Netlify’s settings.
Children’s privacy
Mariners Online is intended for adults and people preparing for maritime careers. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Security
The site is served over HTTPS. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, but we keep what we collect to a minimum.
Changes to this policy
When we update this policy, the date at the top of this page will change.
Contact
Mariners Online / Compass Courses — captk@marinersonline.com