Privacy Policy

Courtesy translation — the German version is legally binding.

Controller:
rubberduck software, Christian Möllerherm, 41747 Viersen, email: ahoi@kielwasser.blog

Principle

Kielwasser is ad-free. We do not sell data, use no tracking or advertising cookies, and collect only what is required to run the platform.

Hosting

This website is hosted by IONOS SE (Elgendorfer Straße 57, 56410 Montabaur) in Germany. Technically necessary server logs (IP address, time, requested page, user agent) are processed (Art. 6 (1) f GDPR — secure operation). A data processing agreement with IONOS is in place.

Cookies

Only technically necessary cookies are used: your language choice (kw_lang, 1 year) and — for logged-in users only — the WordPress login cookies. No consent-banner services.

Maps (OpenStreetMap)

Passage pages embed map tiles from the OpenStreetMap Foundation (Cambridge, UK). Your IP address is transmitted to their servers (Art. 6 (1) f GDPR — displaying the route). Details: OSMF Privacy Policy.

Ship’s log accounts

Upon registration we process your email address, chosen name and your content (reports, tracks, photos) to provide your ship’s log (Art. 6 (1) b GDPR). GPS metadata in uploaded photos is removed automatically. You can export your content at any time; on request we delete your log entirely.

Your rights

You have the rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability and objection (Art. 15–21 GDPR), and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

The Rubberduck app

The controller for app and platform is rubberduck software (see imprint). The app processes your logbook data (GPS tracks, entries, photos, boat and crew data) locally on your device. If you use iCloud sync, this data is stored in your private iCloud (Apple) — inaccessible to us. For weather and tide forecasts, the app transmits coordinates to Open-Meteo and WorldTides — without any account or device identifier. Purchases are handled exclusively by Apple; we receive no payment data.

Only if you voluntarily create a Kielwasser account and publish content do the sections above additionally apply. You can delete your account including the blog at any time directly in the app (Settings → Kielwasser-Blog → Delete account & blog).

Area news (app)

The Rubberduck app can display official notices to skippers for your current sailing area. To do so, the app transmits a position rounded to approx. 1 km to kielwasser.blog to deliver matching notices (Art. 6 (1) b GDPR — providing the feature). The position is not stored, not linked to any account and not used for profiling; only the usual server logs apply (see Hosting). The area news page of this website can likewise use the browser position on request, or resolve an entered place name via the Open-Meteo geocoding API; only a position rounded to approx. 1 km or the entered place name is transmitted, without storage or account linkage. The notices come from public services (incl. Rijkswaterstaat, ELWIS/WSV, Søfartsstyrelsen, Sjöfartsverket, HHI Croatia, Guardia Costiera, HNHS Greece, Armada/NAVAREA III, EuRIS, Canal & River Trust, Trinity House) — no user data is passed on to them.

Donations (Buy Me a Coffee)

On the “Support Kielwasser” page (/unterstuetzen/) you can donate voluntarily. Payment is handled via the Buy Me a Coffee platform (operated by Publisherr Inc, 2193 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA). Clicking the donation button takes you to Buy Me a Coffee; any payment data you enter there is processed by Buy Me a Coffee and its payment processor (Stripe) under their privacy policy. This involves a transfer of data to the USA. kielwasser.blog neither receives nor stores payment or account data; we only see that a donation has arrived. Legal basis is Art. 6 (1) b and f GDPR (handling the donation you requested and legitimate interest in operating the service). Donations are voluntary and without any return.

Delete account and data

You can delete your account and all associated data at any time — in the app or by email. Instructions: kielwasser.blog/konto-loeschen.