Privacy Policy

Architects of the Sea ("AOS", "we", "our" or "us") provides naval architecture, yacht and boat design, marine engineering, technical documentation, analysis and related professional services. In delivering these services, we may receive personal information, business information, technical project data, drawings, images, vessel specifications, correspondence and confidential commercial material from clients and project stakeholders.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect, share, return and retain information. It also explains how we acknowledge confidentiality obligations and any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) entered into with a client.

We treat client information, project data and technical material with professional care. We do not sell client information. We do not publicly disclose client project material without permission. We use information only for legitimate business, contractual, professional, technical, security, communication and legal purposes connected with our services.

Where a signed NDA, confidentiality agreement, project contract or statement of work applies, we acknowledge and respect those obligations. If there is a conflict between this Privacy Policy and a signed NDA or project agreement, the stricter confidentiality obligation will apply unless applicable law requires otherwise.

• Identity and contact information, such as names, job titles, company names, email addresses, phone numbers, billing details and communication records.
• Project and vessel information, including concepts, sketches, general arrangements, hull forms, 3D models, CAD files, hydrostatic data, specifications, design requirements, photographs, videos, calculations and analysis inputs.
• Commercial information, such as proposals, quotations, invoices, purchase orders, payment status, contract terms and delivery schedules.
• Technical and collaboration information, including file versions, design comments, meeting notes, change requests, review markups, approval records and correspondence.
• Website and communication data, such as inquiry forms, email metadata, basic analytics, cookie information and information provided through social media or professional platforms.
• Compliance and security records, such as access logs, consent records, document-control records, audit trails and information needed to protect our systems and enforce agreements.

We may collect information directly from clients, prospective clients, contractors, shipyards, classification societies, consultants, suppliers, website visitors or other parties involved in a project. Information may be provided by email, online forms, calls, meetings, file-sharing links, collaboration platforms, project-management tools, cloud storage, CAD/model-sharing platforms, messaging tools or other agreed channels.

• To evaluate inquiries, understand vessel requirements and prepare proposals or feasibility advice.
• To perform contracted services, including naval architecture, design development, analysis, documentation, calculations, drawings, modelling, reporting and project coordination.
• To communicate with clients and stakeholders regarding progress, reviews, approvals, changes, payment, delivery and support.
• To manage project files, version control, documentation, backups, internal quality control and professional records.
• To use trusted third-party cloud, AI, storage, communication, analysis and productivity tools where reasonably necessary for project delivery and business operations.
• To protect confidential information, prevent unauthorized access, maintain system security and investigate misuse or disputes.
• To comply with legal, accounting, tax, regulatory, contractual, insurance, professional or dispute-resolution obligations.
• To improve our internal workflow, service quality, templates, document standards and project management practices, provided that confidential client information is protected.

We understand that marine design projects may include commercially sensitive ideas, vessel concepts, technical designs, financial information, competitive business plans, shipyard pricing, client identities, class-related correspondence and proprietary engineering material. AOS acknowledges the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure.

Where an NDA is signed, we will handle confidential information in line with that NDA. Unless the NDA or project agreement states otherwise, we will not intentionally disclose confidential project information to unrelated third parties except where disclosure is necessary for project delivery, cloud/AI processing, professional support, legal compliance, security, payment processing, dispute handling, or where the client has authorized the disclosure.

Confidentiality obligations do not usually apply to information that is already public, independently developed without reference to the client material, lawfully received from another source without confidentiality restriction, or required to be disclosed by law, court order, regulator, tax authority, class society, insurer or other competent authority.

To work efficiently and provide accessible project support, AOS may store, process, draft, analyze, back up, transmit, organize or review project information through trusted and recognized third-party tools. These may include cloud storage providers, email platforms, file-sharing services, project-management systems, CAD/model review tools, AI-assisted drafting or analysis tools, productivity suites, cybersecurity tools, payment platforms and professional service providers.

By engaging AOS, the client acknowledges that project information may be processed through such third-party systems where reasonably necessary for the project or business administration, unless the client has agreed different written restrictions with AOS before the relevant processing occurs.

When using AI-assisted or cloud-based tools, AOS aims to follow these safeguards:

• Use reputable tools with reasonable security, access-control and confidentiality controls.
• Limit access to people and systems that need the information for legitimate project or business purposes.
• Avoid entering unnecessary personal information or excessive confidential material into AI tools when a reduced or anonymized input is sufficient.
• Use AI tools as support tools only; professional judgement, technical checking and client approval remain important for final deliverables.
• Respect stricter restrictions stated in a signed NDA, project agreement or written client instruction where accepted by AOS.

Clients may request additional restrictions on the use of specific cloud or AI tools. Such restrictions should be made in writing and may affect delivery time, cost, available workflow options or the scope of service.

Clients may request access to their project information, project files, submitted information, reports, drawings or deliverables held by AOS. Subject to identity verification, contract terms, payment status, intellectual-property rights, third-party restrictions, legal duties, technical feasibility and retention limits, we will provide available project information within a reasonable time.

Where a project is active, we aim to keep information reasonably accessible to support continuity, revisions and future development. Where a project has ended, access may depend on whether the material remains within our retention systems or backups and whether retrieval is commercially and technically reasonable.

We may share information only where reasonably necessary and appropriate, including with:

• AOS personnel, contractors, consultants, naval architects, engineers, designers, drafters, analysts, administrators or advisors involved in the project.
• Shipyards, builders, suppliers, class societies, surveyors, consultants, regulatory bodies or client-approved stakeholders where required for project delivery.
• Trusted cloud, AI, hosting, storage, communication, payment, document-management, analytics, cybersecurity or business-operation service providers.
• Professional advisors, accountants, auditors, insurers, lawyers or dispute-resolution representatives.
• Authorities, courts, regulators, tax bodies, law-enforcement agencies or other parties where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
• Another organization in connection with a business transfer, merger, restructuring, acquisition or sale of business assets, subject to reasonable confidentiality protections.

We do not sell client personal data or confidential project information. We do not provide confidential project material to advertising platforms for targeted advertising.

We use reasonable technical, organizational and administrative measures to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure. These measures may include controlled access, password protection, secure cloud storage, limited permissions, backups, version control, trusted service providers, confidentiality practices, staff/contractor awareness and document-control procedures.

No method of electronic transmission, cloud storage or internet-based processing is completely risk-free. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we will take reasonable steps to protect the information entrusted to us and to respond appropriately if we become aware of a material security incident affecting client information.

Because many professional cloud, AI, communication and storage tools operate globally, information may be stored or processed in countries other than the country where the client, project, vessel, shipyard or AOS is located. Where applicable, we seek to use reputable providers and reasonable safeguards for such transfers.

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for project delivery, client support, professional records, legal compliance, accounting, tax, insurance, dispute resolution, quality control, backup, security and legitimate business purposes. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, project status, contract requirements, applicable law and technical backup cycles.

A client may request deletion or return of certain information. We will consider such requests in good faith, but we may retain information where required or permitted for legal, contractual, accounting, professional, security, backup or dispute-related reasons.

Depending on applicable law and the nature of the information, clients and individuals may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, portability, withdrawal of consent or information about how their data is used. Requests should be sent to the contact email listed in this policy.

We may need to verify identity before responding. We may also decline or limit a request where permitted by law, where it would affect the rights of another party, where the request is technically impossible or disproportionate, or where information must be retained for legitimate legal, contractual, professional or business reasons.

Our website or online pages may use cookies, analytics tools, forms, embedded content or similar technologies to understand visitor behavior, improve services, manage inquiries and protect the website. Visitors may control cookies through browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect some website functions.

We may send business communications, service updates or marketing messages where appropriate and permitted. Recipients may ask us to stop sending non-essential marketing messages.

Subject to any signed NDA, project agreement or written client restriction accepted by AOS, we may use limited non-sensitive project information for our portfolio, website, proposals, social media, case studies, capability statements or marketing material. This limited portfolio use may include only the following categories:

• Selected rendered images, presentation visuals or non-technical project images, provided they do not reveal confidential construction details or proprietary technical information.
• A basic general project description, such as vessel type, general purpose, broad size category, project stage or high-level design objective.
• A summary of the services provided by AOS, such as concept design, hull modelling, general arrangement, stability review, structural support, CFD/FEA support, construction documentation, feasibility study or related naval architecture services.

For clarity, portfolio use does not give AOS permission to disclose protected technical data, detailed construction drawings, source CAD files, core engineering definitions, calculations, scantlings, structural details, proprietary hull geometry, manufacturing methods, class or regulatory correspondence, commercial pricing, private client identity or any other confidential information unless the client has specifically approved that disclosure in writing or the information is already lawfully public.

AOS will keep technical data, construction drawings and core engineering aspects secure and confidential in accordance with this Privacy Policy, any applicable NDA and the relevant project agreement. Clients may also request that a project not be used for portfolio purposes, and such requests should be made in writing to the contact email listed in this policy.

Payments may be processed by banks, payment processors, freelance platforms, invoicing systems or other financial service providers. AOS does not intentionally store full payment-card numbers unless expressly required and lawfully handled through an appropriate payment provider. Payment records may be retained for accounting, tax, audit and dispute purposes.

Our professional services are intended for businesses, adults and project stakeholders. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children or minors for marketing or project services. If such information is provided accidentally, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps.

Clients are responsible for providing accurate, complete and lawful information for project purposes. Incorrect or incomplete data, vessel particulars, load information, operating profiles, regulatory assumptions, drawings or specifications may affect engineering outcomes, project cost, compliance review and deliverable accuracy.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, tools, legal requirements, security practices or business operations. The effective date will show when the policy was last updated. Continued engagement with AOS after publication of an updated policy means the updated policy applies, unless a signed agreement states otherwise.

This Privacy Policy is intended to describe AOS business practices in clear language. It does not create a separate professional, legal, fiduciary or regulatory duty beyond applicable law and signed agreements. For jurisdiction-specific legal compliance, clients and AOS should obtain advice from a qualified legal professional.