Terms of Service

1. Provider and scope

RulesAtSea is operated by Leander Melms, a natural person based in Germany. You can contact the operator at:

These terms describe the use of the website and its learning materials. They do not create a paid subscription. Where contractual terms require your agreement under applicable law, merely visiting the website does not replace that agreement.

2. Training and safety

RulesAtSea offers illustrative exercises about collision regulations, navigation lights, buoyage, signals and related seamanship. Vessel movement, weather, visibility, charts, timing and assessments are simplified for learning.

The simulator is an educational aid. It must not be used to navigate a real vessel, decide a real manoeuvre, plan a passage or replace a proper lookout, official charts, current regulations, competent instruction or professional judgement. On the water, follow the complete rules applicable to your vessel and location.

A score, suggested answer, replay or measured passing distance does not certify that a manoeuvre is safe or legally compliant. The website does not issue a qualification, replace a required examination or promise a particular learning or examination result.

Regional conventions differ. Check the scope and sources of each lesson, including the relevant IALA region and local rules. References to organisations, qualifications or official publications do not imply their endorsement of RulesAtSea.

3. Access and local progress

The current simulator is free to use. Optional analytics consent is not a condition of access. You are responsible for any internet or device costs charged by your own provider.

The interactive simulator requires a compatible browser with JavaScript and WebGL. Local learning progress and preferences are stored in your browser. Clearing site data, changing browser or using another device can remove locally stored progress. Where you use an account, keep your access credentials secure and provide accurate information needed to operate it. Account-based data storage is described in the Privacy Policy.

We may maintain, correct or develop the service, and access may be interrupted. We do not promise uninterrupted availability. Any statutory duties to provide access, updates or remedies remain applicable.

4. Responsible use

Use the service lawfully and with consideration for others. Do not interfere with its operation, deliberately overload its infrastructure, introduce malicious code or attempt unauthorised access to systems or data.

Do not represent simulated results as an official qualification or real-world safety assessment. Suspected errors or security issues can be reported to the operator using the contact details above.

5. Learning materials and third-party sources

You may access the website and use its interactive exercises for your own learning. Copyright and other rights in the original content, software and graphics remain with their respective holders. Reproduction, redistribution or other uses beyond what applicable law or an express licence permits require the rights holder’s permission.

Open-source software and separately licensed assets remain subject to their own licences. These terms do not restrict permissions granted by those licences, lawful quotation or other statutory exceptions.

Links to official rules and other websites are provided as references. Those websites have their own terms and privacy practices. Check the current authoritative text and relevant local requirements.

6. Liability and statutory rights

The operator’s liability is governed by applicable law. These terms do not exclude or limit statutory liability, including liability for intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body or health, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Mandatory consumer rights, including any applicable rights relating to digital products, remain unaffected. The free nature of the service and its educational purpose do not remove those rights.

7. Data protection

The Privacy Policy explains hosting, browser storage, optional analytics, contact correspondence and your data-protection rights. It is information about processing, rather than a request for blanket consent. Optional analytics has its own separate choice, which you can withdraw at any time.

8. Applicable law and disputes

German law applies to the extent a choice of law is legally permitted. If you are a consumer, this does not deprive you of mandatory protections available under the law of your habitual residence. Court jurisdiction is determined by applicable law; these terms do not impose an exclusive court on consumers.

The operator is neither obliged nor willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration body. You may contact the operator directly about a concern. Your right to pursue other lawful remedies remains unaffected.

9. Changes to these terms

We may update this page to reflect changes to the service or legal requirements. The date above identifies this version. Publishing revised terms does not retrospectively change an existing contract or replace any notice or agreement required by law.