Data Protection

Privacy Policy
PWSGUIDE.com

Last Updated: July 12, 2026. This policy describes how we collect, store, and process data for our service.

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Full Disclaimer Copyright & DMCA Cookie Policy Float Plan Agreement

PWSGUIDE.com ("PWSGUIDE," "we," "us") respects your privacy. This Policy explains what limited information we collect, how it's used, and — just as importantly — what we don't collect.

1. Summary

  • We do not require an account or login to use PWSGUIDE.com.
  • We do not store float plans, crew manifests, vessel details, or any information you enter into the Float Plan Generator. That data stays on your device and is never transmitted to or retained on our servers. See our Float Plan Tool Agreement for details.
  • We use limited local device storage (not sent to us) to remember your accessibility display preferences (text size, contrast, grayscale, etc.).
  • We may use cookies and basic analytics to understand site usage. See our Cookie Policy.
  • We pull live data from third-party public sources (NOAA, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Marine Cadastre, Protomaps) to power maps and conditions — see Section 5.

2. Information We Do Not Collect

We specifically do not:

  • Store the contents of any Float Plan you generate (vessel info, route, crew, emergency contacts, timing).
  • Require you to create an account to access maps, anchorage data, routes, conditions, or the Float Plan Tool.
  • Retain server-side logs of form field values submitted through the Float Plan Tool.
  • Sell personal information to third parties (we don't have any to sell).

Crew & Passenger Consent Representation: By entering names, medical details, or contact information of crew members or passengers into the Float Plan Generator, you represent and warrant that you have obtained explicit consent from each individual (or their parent/guardian) to input their personal data into this client-side generator.

If we ever introduce optional accounts, saved trips, or other features that would involve storing personal information, we will update this Policy and clearly disclose the change before it takes effect.

Note on Float Plan Data Transmission: While PWSGUIDE does not transmit, store, or receive your float plan details on its own servers, utilizing the tool's print, save-PDF, or draft-email functionality passes the plan's fields to your local device operating system, print spoolers, cloud-synchronized browser history, or third-party email clients. Take appropriate precautions when generating plans on shared or public devices.

3. Information We Do Collect

a. Device-Local Preferences

Accessibility settings (text size, contrast mode, grayscale, reduced motion, font preference) are saved using your browser's local storage, on your device only. We do not have access to these settings and they are not transmitted to us.

b. Basic Usage Analytics

We use Cloudflare Web Analytics to understand website usage and improve performance. This analytics service runs in a completely cookie-free, privacy-conscious manner. It does not track you across other websites, collect personal data, or store your IP address. It only tracks aggregated, non-identifying traffic statistics (such as page views, device types, and country-level location). It does not access any data from the Float Plan Tool.

c. Cookies

See our separate Cookie Policy for details on what cookies are used and how to manage them.

d. Location Data (Optional)

If you enable geolocation for the interactive map (e.g., to center the map on your position), this is processed by your browser/device and used only to display your position on the map during your session. We do not store or transmit your location history to our servers.

e. Contact/Support Communications

If you email us directly (e.g., for support, DMCA notices, or accessibility feedback), we retain that correspondence only as long as needed to respond and resolve the matter.

4. How We Use Information

Any information described above is used solely to:

  • Operate and improve the website and its features;
  • Respond to inquiries you send us directly;
  • Maintain security and prevent abuse of the site.

5. Third-Party Data Sources & Geolocation Privacy

PWSGUIDE.com displays data and maps pulled live from third-party sources, including:

  • NOAA Tides & Currents
  • NOAA Marine Forecasts / National Weather Service
  • Alaska Marine Cadastre
  • Protomaps & OpenStreetMap (vector map tile infrastructure)

Geolocation & Map Data Privacy: When you load our interactive maps, your browser makes direct requests to map tile servers hosted by Protomaps and OpenStreetMap CDNs. These requests naturally transmit your device's IP address, browser user-agent, and the bounding coordinates (viewport) of the map you are currently viewing. These CDNs process this metadata solely to serve map files and manage server traffic; we do not control, store, or receive this data.

We do not control these third parties' own data practices. Your interaction with embedded or linked third-party services may be subject to their own privacy policies.

6. Data Retention

Because we do not collect float plan data, vessel/crew information, or account data, there is nothing of that nature to retain or delete. Any analytics data we do collect is aggregated and not tied to your identity; any direct correspondence with us is retained only as long as reasonably necessary.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to know what personal information is collected about you, request deletion, or opt out of certain processing (e.g., under GDPR or state privacy laws). Because we collect minimal personal information and do not store float plan or account data, most such requests will have limited applicability — but you can still contact us at [email protected] with any privacy question or request, and we will respond.

8. Children's Privacy

PWSGUIDE.com is not directed to children under 13. Because we do not store information entered into the Float Plan Tool (including crew manifest entries that might reference minors aboard a vessel), no such information is retained by us regardless of who it describes.

9. Security

We do not store sensitive personal data on our servers by design, which limits exposure in the event of a security incident. Standard technical safeguards (HTTPS, secure hosting infrastructure) are used to protect the site itself.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by an updated "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

11. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy, privacy queries, or requests to exercise data rights can be directed to:
Four Media Group LLC
101 E. 9th Ave, Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: [email protected]