PRIVACY POLICY

Website: www.solentmaritimeacademy.com
Company: Solent Maritime Academy Ltd
Last Updated: 25 September 2026

1. Introduction

Solent Maritime Academy Ltd ("Solent Maritime Academy", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

Solent Maritime Academy Ltd is part of the Solent Maritime Ltd holding company structure.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website, register for an account, enquire about our services, purchase a course, participate in training or otherwise interact with us.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

  • name and contact details;
  • email address and telephone number;
  • company or organisation details;
  • billing and transaction information;
  • course registrations and learning records;
  • assessment and examination information;
  • certificates and training records;
  • information supplied when contacting us;
  • account login information;
  • technical information such as IP address, browser type and device information;
  • website usage information; and
  • information contained in correspondence or enquiries.

Where necessary for a particular course or service, we may collect additional information required to verify eligibility, qualifications, identity or professional experience.

3. How We Use Personal Information

We may use personal information to:

  • process course registrations and bookings;
  • provide training and learning services;
  • administer learner accounts;
  • deliver assessments and examinations;
  • issue certificates and maintain training records;
  • process payments and refunds;
  • communicate with learners and customers;
  • respond to enquiries;
  • provide customer support;
  • maintain website and information security;
  • improve our website, courses and services;
  • comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
  • prevent fraud and misuse; and
  • send relevant marketing communications where permitted by law and, where required, with your consent.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Depending on the circumstances, we may process personal information because:

  • it is necessary to perform a contract with you;
  • it is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract;
  • we have a legitimate interest in operating and improving our business and services;
  • we are required to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation; or
  • you have provided consent where consent is required.

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

5. Payment Information

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers.

We do not normally store complete payment-card details on our own systems. Payment information may be processed directly by the relevant payment provider under its own terms and privacy policy.

6. Sharing Personal Information

We may share personal information where reasonably necessary with:

  • employees and authorised personnel;
  • trainers, instructors and assessors;
  • technology and hosting providers;
  • payment processors;
  • examination, certification or accreditation organisations where applicable;
  • professional or regulatory bodies where required;
  • professional advisers;
  • law enforcement or government authorities where legally required; and
  • service providers acting on our behalf.

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

Where third-party service providers process personal information on our behalf, we take appropriate steps to require them to protect that information.

7. International Transfers

Some technology or service providers may process information outside the UK.

Where personal information is transferred outside the UK, we will take appropriate steps to ensure that the transfer is lawful and that appropriate safeguards are in place as required by applicable data protection law.

8. Data Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, accidental loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

9. How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including fulfilling contractual, legal, regulatory, accounting and reporting requirements.

Training and certification records may need to be retained for longer periods where required by applicable professional, regulatory or contractual requirements.

When information is no longer required, we will securely delete, anonymise or otherwise dispose of it where appropriate.

10. Your Rights

Subject to applicable legal conditions and exemptions, you may have rights to:

  • request access to your personal information;
  • request correction of inaccurate information;
  • request deletion of personal information;
  • request restriction of processing;
  • object to certain processing;
  • request transfer of information in a portable format;
  • withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
  • complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Requests can be made using the contact details below.

 

11. Marketing

Where permitted by law, we may contact existing customers or other individuals with information about relevant courses, training programmes or services.

Where consent is required, we will obtain it before sending marketing communications.

You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe facility in the relevant communication or contacting us.

12. Children's Information

Our services are primarily intended for adults and professional learners.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children where doing so is not appropriate for the service being provided.

13. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. Please see our Cookie Policy for information about the technologies we use and how you can manage your preferences.

14. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. You should review their privacy policies before providing personal information to them.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The latest version will be published on this website together with the applicable revision date.

16. Contact Us

For privacy enquiries or to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Solent Maritime Academy Ltd
 Part of Solent Maritime Ltd
 Website: www.solentmaritimeacademy.com
 Email: admin@solentmaritime.co.uk
 Registered Office: 4 Alexandra Road, Southampton SO15 5DG UNITED KINGDOM
 Company Registration No.: 16876792

You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you have concerns about how your personal information is being handled.