Privacy policy

This policy explains how Boat Ramp Scout handles information when you use boatrampscout.com. Boat Ramp Scout is operated by Nocturnal Devs in Toronto, Canada.

Information we handle

You can browse the directory without creating an account. We handle information in three main situations:

• Nearby search: if you choose “Use my current location,” your browser asks for permission and sends a latitude and longitude to our server so it can return nearby ramps.
• Ramp submissions: if you suggest a ramp or correction, we store the ramp name, location, supporting details, source URL, and any optional email address you provide.
• Analytics: Google Analytics processes page visits, referral information, device and browser details, approximate location derived from IP address, and interaction information so we can understand and improve the directory.
• Technical operation: our hosting and security providers may process IP address, browser and device information, requested URLs, timestamps, referral information, and error or security logs.

Do not include private access instructions, gate codes, payment information, health information, or other sensitive personal information in a ramp submission.

How the nearby search uses location

The site requests location only after you activate the nearby-search feature and your browser grants permission. The coordinate is used to calculate nearby listings for that request. Our application does not write the coordinate to the boat-ramp or submission database or associate it with a user account. Because the coordinate is transmitted in a request, infrastructure or security logs may temporarily contain the requested URL and related technical information. You can deny or revoke location permission in your browser and search by place instead.

How we use information

We use information to provide and secure the directory, calculate nearby results, review corrections, respond to messages, diagnose errors, prevent abuse, understand aggregate site use, meet legal obligations, and improve listings and site performance. Where applicable, we rely on your consent for browser location access and optional advertising technologies; we otherwise process information to provide a service you requested and for legitimate operational, security, and improvement purposes.

Maps, directions, and external links

Ramp pages embed maps supplied by OpenStreetMap and link to third-party mapping, directions, agency, and facility websites. When a map loads or you follow an external link, that provider may receive your IP address, browser information, referring page, and other data under its own privacy policy. Boat Ramp Scout does not control those third-party services.

Cookies, analytics, and advertising

The core directory does not require an account. The site or its providers may use essential storage or similar technologies for security and operation.

Google Analytics

Boat Ramp Scout uses Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate traffic and improve navigation, listings, and guides. The analytics tag loads when you visit the site.

Google Analytics may use first-party cookies such as _ga and process page URL, referrer, device and browser information, approximate location derived from IP address, and interaction events. We configure the tag with Google Signals and advertising personalization disabled. You can block or delete analytics cookies through your browser settings.

Google provides more information about its processing on its business sites and services page.

Advertising

If advertising is enabled, providers such as Google AdSense or Mediavine may use cookies, local storage, identifiers, IP address, device information, and interaction data to deliver ads, limit frequency, prevent fraud, or personalize advertising where permitted.

If advertising is enabled, third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on a user’s prior visits to this website or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to Boat Ramp Scout and other sites. Learn how Google uses data on sites that use its services.

Where legally required, a consent-management tool will present choices before eligible advertising technologies run. You can use those controls, adjust browser settings, manage personalized advertising through Google Ads Settings, or opt out of some third-party vendors through YourAdChoices. Blocking storage may affect some features.

When information is shared

We may share information with hosting, security, mapping, analytics, advertising, communications, and operational providers that process it for us or provide a feature you request. We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to lawful process, prevent fraud or abuse, protect rights or safety, or complete a merger, financing, reorganization, or transfer of assets. We do not sell or rent ramp-submission contact information as a standalone product.

Retention, security, and international processing

We retain submissions and technical records only as long as reasonably needed for directory operations, review, security, legal compliance, and dispute resolution. Retention periods may differ for provider logs and backups. We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, but no online service can guarantee absolute security.

Nocturnal Devs is based in Canada. Service providers may process information in Canada, the United States, or other countries where they operate, where privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

Your choices and privacy rights

You may search without location access, manage browser permissions and cookies, use available advertising-consent controls, and choose whether to provide an email with a correction. Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access to or correction or deletion of personal information, withdraw consent where applicable, object to certain processing, or complain to a privacy regulator. We may need to verify a request before acting on it.

Children

The site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly ask children under 13 to provide personal information. A parent or guardian who believes a child submitted personal information may contact us for review.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the service, providers, or legal requirements change. We will post the revised policy here and update the date at the top.

Contact the privacy officer

Questions, privacy requests, and complaints can be directed to: