Legal
Cookie Policy
Last updated: June 2025
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device — computer, tablet, or smartphone — when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device across multiple visits and to remember information about your preferences and actions.
Cookies can be “session cookies” (deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent cookies” (which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them). They can be set by the website you are visiting (“first-party cookies”) or by third-party services that provide functionality on that site (“third-party cookies”).
Similar technologies such as web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage may be used alongside cookies. For simplicity, all such technologies are referred to as “cookies” in this policy.
How We Use Cookies
HeyMariner uses cookies to make the platform function correctly, to understand how visitors interact with the service, to remember your preferences, and — where you have given consent — to support marketing activities. We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information beyond what is necessary to operate your account session.
When you first visit HeyMariner, a cookie consent banner is presented. You may accept all cookies, accept only essential cookies, or customise your preferences by category. Your choices are stored in a preferences cookie so that you are not prompted again on each visit.
Cookies We Use
The table below lists the cookies currently in use on the HeyMariner platform, grouped by category. Durations marked “Session” indicate the cookie is deleted when you close your browser.
| Category | Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | hm_session | Maintains your authenticated login session. Required for accessing protected platform features such as vessel watchlists and account settings. | Session | HeyMariner |
| Essential | hm_csrf | Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection token. Prevents unauthorised commands from being submitted on your behalf. | Session | HeyMariner |
| Essential | hm_cookie_consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences so you are not prompted on every visit. Contains your accepted categories and the date of consent. | 12 months | HeyMariner |
| Analytics | _ga | Google Analytics primary identifier. Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number. Used to calculate aggregate metrics such as sessions per page and user counts. | 2 years | |
| Analytics | _ga_[ID] | Google Analytics 4 session identifier. Persists session state and tracks event data including which vessel tracking features are used and how frequently. | 2 years | |
| Analytics | _gid | Google Analytics session grouping. Used to distinguish users within a 24-hour window for daily session counts and bounce rate calculations. | 24 hours | |
| Preferences | hm_prefs | Stores your platform display preferences including map style (satellite/chart), default vessel layer visibility, unit system (metric/imperial/nautical), and preferred timezone for AIS timestamps. | 6 months | HeyMariner |
| Preferences | hm_theme | Remembers your chosen interface theme (light or dark mode) so the correct theme is applied when you return to the platform. | 12 months | HeyMariner |
| Marketing | _fbp | Facebook Pixel browser identifier. Used to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and to deliver relevant adverts on Meta platforms to users who have visited HeyMariner. | 3 months | Meta |
| Marketing | li_fat_id | LinkedIn Insight Tag first-party identifier. Enables conversion tracking and retargeting for LinkedIn advertising campaigns targeting maritime industry professionals. | 30 days |
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options for controlling how cookies are used when you access HeyMariner:
- Cookie preference centre: click the “Cookie Settings” link in our site footer at any time to review and update your preferences by category. Your updated choices are stored immediately in the hm_cookie_consent cookie.
- Browser settings: most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through their settings. Note that blocking all cookies, including essential cookies, will prevent you from logging in and using personalised features of the platform. Refer to your browser's help documentation for specific instructions.
- Google Analytics opt-out: you can prevent Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Interest-based advertising: to opt out of interest-based advertising from Meta or LinkedIn, visit your account settings on those platforms or use the relevant industry opt-out tools (e.g., Your Ad Choices at youronlinechoices.com).
Please note that essential cookies cannot be disabled through our cookie preference centre as they are strictly necessary for the platform to function. Disabling them is possible only through browser-level settings, but doing so will significantly impair your ability to use the Service.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or improvements to our preference management tools. When we make significant changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you via a banner on the platform or by email.
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us at privacy@heymariner.com or review our full Privacy Policy.