Effective Date: 1st August 2018

Aboard Boat Coaching (“we”, “us”, “our”) is an RYA Recognised Training Centre delivering a range of shorebased and afloat training courses. We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Aboard Boat Coaching
Address: Universal Marina, Hamble

We are an RYA Recognised Training Centre operating under the standards set by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). In some cases, we act as a data controller jointly with the RYA (for example, when processing course completion data).

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

When you enquire or book a course

• Name, address, email, and telephone number
• Date of birth (for eligibility or certification purposes)
• Emergency contact details
• Details of courses booked, attended, and completed
• Payment information (processed securely via our payment provider — we do not store full card details)

When you take part in afloat or shorebased training

• Medical and fitness information (where required for safety afloat)
• RYA student registration data
• Course assessments, exam results, and certification details

When you visit our website

• Technical data such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited (collected via cookies; see section 9)

 

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Manage course bookings, administration, and certification
• Ensure participant safety during training activities
• Register you with the RYA for certification and record-keeping
• Communicate course details, updates, or follow-up information
• Maintain internal records of attendance and qualifications
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We will only process your personal data where we have a lawful basis to do so — typically for the performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, or where you have given consent.

4. Sharing Your Information

We may share your data with:

• The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) – for certification, records, and quality assurance of RYA training
• Instructors and staff – to enable safe and effective delivery of your course
• Payment processors or booking platforms – to handle transactions securely
• Emergency services or insurers – in the event of an incident or claim
• Regulatory authorities – if required by law

We will never sell your data to third parties.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

• Course records and certificates: up to 7 years (or as required by the RYA)
• Medical information: deleted immediately after your course unless required for an incident record
• Enquiry data: typically retained for up to 12 months

 

6. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. These include secure password protection, limited staff access, and encrypted data storage where applicable.

If any data is stored electronically, it may be hosted on servers provided by reputable UK or EU-based service providers (for example, cloud storage or booking systems compliant with UK GDPR).

7. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access a copy of your personal data we hold
• Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated information
• Object to processing or request restriction in certain circumstances
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Request data portability (where applicable)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [Insert contact email]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

8. Transfer of Data Outside the UK

If we transfer your personal data outside the UK (for example, when using cloud-based services), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place consistent with UK GDPR requirements, such as approved standard contractual clauses or transfers to countries deemed adequate by the UK Government.

9. Cookies and Website Use

Our website may use cookies to improve user experience and analyse site traffic. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies if you prefer. For more details, please refer to our [Cookie Policy] (if applicable).

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website with the revised effective date.

11. Contact and Complaints

If you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your data, please contact:
Data Protection Officer (if applicable)
Email: office@aboardboatcoaching.co.uk

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

By booking or attending a course with Aboard Boat Coaching, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.