LadderWatch LLC ("LadderWatch," "we," "us," or "our") operates a software-as-a-service platform for pilot transfer arrangement compliance reporting (the "Platform") and the marketing website at ladderwatch.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy describes what information we collect, how we use it, and with whom we share it. It applies to both the Platform and the Site. Your use of the Platform is also governed by your applicable membership or evaluation agreement with LadderWatch, which contains additional terms regarding your data.
1. Information We Collect
Account and profile information
When you register for or are granted access to the Platform, we collect your name, email address, and professional affiliation (your pilot association and port). This information is used to create and maintain your account.
Deficiency reports
The core function of the Platform is the submission and storage of pilot transfer arrangement deficiency reports. Each report may include vessel identification (name and IMO number), deficiency codes selected from the LadderWatch taxonomy, free-text observations, date and time of boarding, and photographs of the arrangement. This data forms the shared compliance database accessible to LadderWatch members.
Photographs
Members may submit photographs as part of a deficiency report. Photographs must not include images depicting the face of any identifiable individual. Members are responsible for ensuring facial features are obscured, cropped, or otherwise removed before submission. LadderWatch uses submitted photographs to operate the Platform and may use them to train computer vision and machine learning models and to develop educational and training materials.
Voice data
The Platform includes a voice-to-text feature that allows members to dictate report observations. Voice processing occurs locally on the member's device. LadderWatch does not receive, transmit, or store voice recordings. Only the transcribed text output is submitted to the Platform.
Location data
LadderWatch does not collect location data from members' devices.
Marketing site
The Site does not use analytics software, tracking cookies, or any third-party tracking tools. We do not collect personal information from visitors to ladderwatch.com unless they contact us directly by email.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- •operate, maintain, and improve the Platform;
- •build and maintain the shared deficiency database accessible to LadderWatch members;
- •respond to your inquiries and provide member support;
- •train computer vision and machine learning models to improve deficiency detection and classification;
- •develop educational and training materials for the maritime community; and
- •comply with applicable legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your information for advertising purposes.
3. Sharing of Information
Deficiency reports submitted to the Platform are shared with other LadderWatch members as part of the Platform's core function. When a member queries a vessel, they may see reports filed by other members. Reports may be attributed to a named pilot or may be de-identified, depending on Platform settings and applicable membership agreements.
We do not share your personal information with third parties outside of the LadderWatch member network except: (a) as required by law, regulation, or valid legal process; (b) to protect the rights, safety, or property of LadderWatch, our members, or others; or (c) in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, in which case we will provide notice prior to your information being transferred and becoming subject to a different privacy policy.
We may engage service providers (such as cloud hosting providers) who process data on our behalf. These providers are contractually restricted from using your information for any purpose other than providing services to LadderWatch.
4. Data Retention
Deficiency reports and photographs submitted to the Platform are retained by LadderWatch indefinitely, including after a member's account is closed or membership ends. This retention is necessary to maintain the integrity and completeness of the shared compliance database. Your account information (name, email, affiliation) may be deleted upon written request following termination of membership, subject to any retention requirements in your applicable membership or evaluation agreement.
Members who signed an Evaluation and Confidentiality Agreement are subject to additional retention terms specific to that agreement, including an express waiver of the right to demand deletion of Evaluation Data.
5. Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we hold. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at info@ladderwatch.com.
6. Your Rights and Choices
You may request access to or correction of your account information at any time by contacting us. As described in Section 4, reports and photographs submitted to the Platform are generally retained even after account closure; requests for account information deletion following membership termination will be honored subject to the terms of your applicable agreement.
If you are located in a jurisdiction with applicable privacy rights (such as GDPR or CCPA), you may have additional rights regarding your personal information. Contact us at info@ladderwatch.com to exercise any such rights.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify members by email or through the Platform. The effective date at the top of this page reflects when the current version was last updated. Continued use of the Platform after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
8. Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data should be directed to:
LadderWatch LLC
info@ladderwatch.comThis policy is governed by the laws of the State of Washington.
LadderWatch LLC — Effective May 2026. This is a preliminary privacy policy pending review by LadderWatch's legal counsel.