1. Introduction
Tip Frontier ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website tip-frontier.com, use our services, or participate in our yachting training programs.
This policy complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable Australian privacy laws.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact details (name, email address, phone number, mailing address)
- Demographic information (age, gender, location)
- Training and certification records
- Payment and billing information
- Emergency contact details
- Medical information relevant to training safety
- Photos and videos taken during training sessions (with consent)
- Website usage data and cookies
2.2 How We Collect Information
We collect personal information through:
- Training course enrollment forms
- Website contact forms and newsletter subscriptions
- Phone and email communications
- In-person interactions at our facilities
- Cookies and website analytics
- Social media interactions
- Third-party booking platforms
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
- Providing yachting training courses and related services
- Processing enrollments and payments
- Communicating with you about courses, schedules, and updates
- Maintaining training records and issuing certifications
- Ensuring safety during training activities
- Improving our services and website functionality
- Marketing communications (with your consent)
- Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
- Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
4.1 When We Share Information
We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:
- With certification bodies for training record verification
- With emergency contacts in case of incidents during training
- With service providers who assist in delivering our services
- When required by law or legal process
- With your explicit consent
- To protect the safety of participants and staff
4.2 Third-Party Service Providers
We work with trusted third-party service providers including:
- Payment processors for secure transaction handling
- Email marketing platforms for newsletters and communications
- Website hosting and analytics services
- Insurance providers for liability coverage
- Certification and regulatory bodies
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Secure data transmission using SSL encryption
- Access controls limiting who can view personal information
- Regular security audits and updates
- Secure storage of physical and digital records
- Staff training on privacy and data protection
6. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze website traffic and user behavior
- Improve website functionality and user experience
- Provide personalized content and advertisements
You can control cookie settings through our cookie management system or your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.
7. Your Rights
Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information we hold
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- Lodge a complaint about our privacy practices
- Request information about how we handle your personal data
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Provide ongoing services and support
- Maintain training and certification records
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Training records are typically retained for 7 years to comply with maritime training regulations. Marketing data is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
9. International Data Transfers
Your personal information is primarily stored and processed in Australia. If we transfer information overseas, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy in accordance with Australian privacy laws.
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are generally designed for adults. When providing training to minors, we:
- Obtain parental or guardian consent
- Collect only information necessary for safety and training
- Provide additional privacy protections for young participants
- Ensure appropriate supervision during training activities
11. Marketing Communications
We may send you marketing communications about our services, courses, and maritime training tips. You can:
- Opt out at any time using unsubscribe links
- Update your communication preferences
- Contact us directly to modify your subscription settings
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Post the updated policy on our website
- Update the "last modified" date
- Notify you of material changes via email or website notice
- Provide additional notice for significant changes affecting your rights
13. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
14. Complaints
If you believe we have breached your privacy, you can lodge a complaint with us using the contact details above. We will:
- Acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days
- Investigate the matter thoroughly
- Respond with our findings and any corrective actions
- Work with you to resolve the issue
If you're not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.
15. Consent
By using our website and services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. You may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal and contractual restrictions.