YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT TO US
Personal Information Collection Statement
(Version date: 9th January 2025)
1. Our Commitment to Protecting Personal Data Privacy
The Mariners is operated by The Sailors Home and Mission to Seafarers (“We”, “us”, or “The Mission”). This Privacy Policy sets out our policies and practices in handling personal data. At The Mariners, we are dedicated to safeguarding the data privacy of seafarers, members, members’ nom inee users, eligible guests, and other eligible users of our services and facilities (“you”) in the highest regard in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486, Laws of Hong Kong) (the “Ordinance”), and we strictly adhere to the standards and practices outlined in this Privacy Policy.
The term “personal data” in this Privacy Policy refers to any information directly or indirectly related to an identifiable living individual that can be practicably used to determine the identity of the individual and is in a form that can be practicably accessed and processed.
We aim to ensure that all personal data is handled responsibly and securely. We are committed to protecting your personal information.
2. Collection and Use of Personal Data
To provide you with services, facilities or venues of The Mariners including our website, we may need to collect certain personal data. The kinds of personal data which we may collect from you include your name and contact details. We may use this data for processing your application for membership or request for services, providing information about The Mariners events and facilities, responding to general inquiries, and other purposes relating to our services, facilities or venues. Please read our Personal Information Collection Statement (“Statement”) for further details on what personal data we collect and how we use the data.
2.1 Website and Mobile Application
We may collect information from you when you interact with our website(s) or mobile application(s).
2.1.1 Cookies
“Cookies” are small text files that websites and mobile applications create and store on a visitor’s hard drive while they browse the websites and mobile applications. They are primarily used for record-keeping purposes during visitors’ visit to the websites or mobile applications, such as saving passwords and personal preferences. While we do not use cookies to collect personal data, we utilize the information gathered about your web browser and mobile application activity. This helps us to tailor the content of our website(s) and mobile application(s) to enhance user experience, making it more relevant and accessible for you.
If you wish to refuse cookies, you can modify your web browser and mobile application settings accordingly. However, please be aware that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain areas of our website(s) and mobile application(s). Some features may not work as intended without cookies, which could impact your overall user experience.
2.1.2 Log Files
When you visit our website(s) or use our mobile application(s), our servers automatically collect certain information related to your visits and usage. This data is saved in “Log Files” and includes information such as your IP address, domain name, browser type, and access time.
These Log Files do not contain personal data. However, when you register on our website(s) or mobile application(s) and log into your account, we may combine these Log Files with other personal data we collect from you. When combined, these Log Files are treated as personal data under this Privacy Policy.
2.1.3 Third-Party Websites and/or Mobile Applications
Occasionally, our website(s) or mobile application(s) may contain links to third-party websites or mobile applications. These links are for your reference and convenience only, and do not mean that these third-party websites or mobile applications are endorsed or associated with The Mariners. These third-party websites or mobile applications are not operated by The Mariners, and we have no control over their contents or privacy policies.
When accessing these third-party websites or mobile applications, we strongly encourage you to review their respective privacy policies.
2.2 Enhancing Your Experience
Understanding your preferences is critical in our commitment to providing exceptional experience at The Mariners. To achieve this, we collect information by observing your interactions with us and feedback about our services, facilities or venues. This helps us remember your preferences and customize our offers accordingly. We may then generate data about you by combining and analysing data and statistics.
By studying your interactions and considering relevant marketing demographics, we continually seek ways to present you with relevant and unique offerings that align with your interests. Please see Section 3 below and the Statement for further details on how we may use your personal data in direct marketing.
Occasionally, we may engage third parties to assist us in processing this information. These third parties may include agents, contractors or service providers who provide services or support to us in connection with The Mariners. Where the information processed involves personal data, we require such third parties to comply with the applicable requirements and restrictions under the Ordinance.
2.3 CCTV Surveillance at The Mariners
To maintain security and assist in potential crime investigations, we carry out CCTV monitoring within our premises. This may involve collecting personal information such as your appearances and movements.
Our CCTV systems are designed and operated with respect to your safety and privacy. We ensure that appropriate notices are clearly displayed to inform you of any monitoring activities.
Please be assured that our CCTV surveillance strictly complies with the Ordinance and is used solely for security purposes. Our priority is to ensure a safe and secure environment for you. We may need to disclose our CCTV images or recordings when required by law, by court order or in response to a search warrant or other legally valid inquiry.
3. Use of Your Personal Data for Direct Marketing
We are committed to providing you with relevant and valuable information while respecting your choices about the type of communication you receive from us. Occasionally, we may send you marketing information about The Mariners as specified in the Statement. These communications may be delivered to the email or mailing address you provided or via our mobile application(s).
In accordance with the Ordinance, we will always seek your explicit consent before sending any marketing communications. We respect your choices and preferences. If you decide that you no longer wish to receive such marketing and promotional materials from The Mariners, you have the option to unsubscribe. All our communications will include a marked method for unsubscribing or opting out.
4. Data Transfer and Sharing of Personal Data
While we value your privacy and endeavour to keep all personal data provided to us confidential, there may be occasions when we need to disclose or transfer such data to carry out The Mariners’ operations, provide services or benefits, or for any related purpose.
We may share your personal data with our agents, contractors, or third-party service providers involved in various services. These services include but are not limited to administrative tasks, telecommunications services, computer services, payment processing, marketing activities, research, other data processing services, etc. We may also need to disclose your personal data when required by specific government departments of HKSAR, by law, by court order or in response to a search warrant of other legally valid inquiries.
5. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which the data is collected or in accordance with legal requirements in Hong Kong. Once personal data we hold is no longer necessary for such purposes, we will take practical steps to delete it.
6. Data Security
We prioritize the security of your personal data and take significant measures to prevent unauthorized or accidental access, processing, erasure, loss or use of data. To protect your personal data, we employ a range of safeguards, including physical measures and technological tools such as secure server gateways and data encryption. We also provide data security training for our staff and restrict access to your personal data to authorized individuals directly involved in handling the data.
Despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee that your personal data will be perfectly secure, as there are inherent risks associated with the transmission and storage of personal data. We encourage you to remain vigilant and be aware of the following risks in particular:
Fraudulent Schemes: The Mariners’ name may be misused in fraudulent activities, such as phishing emails, fraudulent domain names, or impersonating phone calls. If you suspect any communication purportedly from The Mariners to be fraudulent, do not respond, do not click on hyperlinks, and do not provide personal information. Report such incidents to the relevant local authority.
Unsecure Communication: Email communication and information transmission over the internet carry inherent security risks. We advise against including sensitive information, such as credit card credentials, in email communications or when submitting forms via email (e.g., through our website’s “Contact Us” section).
7. Personal Data Access and Correction
Under the stipulations of the Ordinance, you are entitled to view and amend your personal data that The Mariners has collected and stored. To initiate this process, please contact our Data Privacy Officer at admin@themariners.hk. Please be aware that The Mariners may apply an administration fee that is not excessive for data access requests.
8. Privacy Policy Updates
To continuously enhance our products and services with new ideas, and foster beneficial partnerships with you, we may need to adjust this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any such changes will be promptly posted with an updated policy on our website or mobile application, and take effect after being posted. Please check our website or mobile application to stay up to date with our policies and practices regarding personal data.
9. Notification of Data Breach
Should an unexpected data breach occur, we are committed to adhering to the applicable requirements under the Ordinance, including but not limited to notifying any affected individuals on a timely basis.
10. Third Party’s Personal Data
If you are requested to provide personal data about third parties, please share this Privacy Policy with them to let them know about our data policies and practices.