Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how VTS Marine Yacht Centre ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects the personal information of our customers, prospective customers, and website visitors. By using our website or providing your personal information to us, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Business Information

VTS Marine Yacht Centre operates out of Vancouver, BC.
Address: 750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3A1
Phone: 604-351-8525
Email: info@vtsmarine.ca
Website: https://vtsmarine.ca

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal information when you interact with us, submit a form on our website, contact us directly, or engage with our services:

Full name
Phone number (including mobile number)
Email address
Physical/mailing address
Vessel information and project details
Service preferences and project timelines
Communication preferences and consent records
Website usage data (cookies, IP address, browser type, pages visited)

How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information through the following methods:

Website contact forms and lead capture forms
Phone calls and text message conversations
Email correspondence
In-person consultations and on-site assessments
Third-party advertising platforms (such as Meta/Facebook lead forms)

When you submit a form on our website or through a third-party advertising platform, your information is stored in our customer relationship management (CRM) system for the purpose of responding to your inquiry and managing our business relationship.

How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

Responding to inquiries and providing quotes
Scheduling and confirming appointments and consultations
Providing marine repair, maintenance, and related services
Sending project updates and status notifications
Following up on quotes and service proposals
Sending appointment reminders via email, phone, or text message
Sending marketing and promotional messages about our services, seasonal offers, and discounts (with your explicit consent and opt-out options)
Improving our website, services, and customer experience
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements

SMS/Text Messaging Terms and Conditions

VTS Marine Yacht Centre offers SMS (text message) communications to customers who have provided their explicit consent. By opting in to receive text messages from VTS Marine Yacht Centre, you agree to the following terms:

Types of Messages

You may receive text messages related to:

Appointment confirmations and reminders
Scheduling updates and changes
Project status notifications
Quote and estimate follow-ups
Seasonal service promotions and special offers
Important business updates and direct customer support

Consent and Opt-In

You may opt in to receive text messages from VTS Marine Yacht Centre by checking the SMS consent checkbox on our website lead form, by providing verbal or written consent during a phone call or in-person interaction, or by submitting your phone number through a third-party advertising platform with SMS consent enabled. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services. The SMS consent checkbox on our website is not pre-checked and requires your deliberate action to opt in.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on your active projects, appointment schedule, and seasonal promotions. You will not receive more than 10 marketing messages per month.

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply. Please contact your wireless carrier for details about your text messaging plan.

Opt-Out

You can cancel SMS messages at any time. Simply text "STOP" to the number from which you receive messages. Upon sending "STOP," you will receive a one-time confirmation message confirming your unsubscription. After this confirmation, you will no longer receive text messages from VTS Marine Yacht Centre. To rejoin, reply "START" to one of our messages or sign up again through our website.

Help

If you experience issues with our messaging program, reply with the keyword "HELP" for assistance, or contact us directly at info@vtsmarine.ca or 604-351-8525.

Carrier Liability

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Mobile Information Sharing and Privacy

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All categories of information sharing described in this policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent. This information will not be shared with any third parties, excluding aggregators and providers of the text messaging platform and services used to deliver messages. Opt-in data and consent information is stored securely in our CRM system and is used solely for the purpose of managing your messaging preferences.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third parties.

We may share your personal information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Delivery: With authorized subcontractors or suppliers working directly on your vessel to complete your marine service or repair project.
SMS Service Providers: With third-party aggregators and providers of text messaging services solely for the purpose of delivering text messages you have consented to receive.
CRM and Business Tools: With our customer relationship management platform and business software providers who process data on our behalf and are contractually obligated to protect your information.
Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, legal process, or government request.

All third parties who receive your information are contractually obligated to use it solely for the purpose for which it was shared and to protect it in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, including:

Secure servers and encrypted data storage
Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
Regular review of our data collection, storage, and processing practices

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, maintain our business relationship, and comply with legal and regulatory obligations. If you request deletion of your information, we will remove it from our active systems within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

Improve your browsing experience
Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain functionality of our website.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to the personal information we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Request deletion of your personal information
Withdraw your consent to marketing communications at any time
Opt out of SMS messages by texting "STOP" at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@vtsmarine.ca or call 604-351-8525.

Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) Compliance

We comply with Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and all applicable Canadian privacy laws. We only send commercial electronic messages to individuals who have provided their express or implied consent. Every marketing communication includes a clear and simple mechanism to unsubscribe.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

VTS Marine Yacht Centre
750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3A1
Email: info@vtsmarine.ca
Phone: 604-351-8525
Website: https://vtsmarine.ca

Steveston Harbour Authority Operations Directive #10
Vessel Repair Area / Dry Land Storage Area

I.A. Purpose

To provide a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly facility to permit general repairs to vessels, prioritizing active licensed commercial fishing vessels.

I.B. Application

This directive applies to all Steveston Harbour Authority staff members and all Harbour users.

I.C. Location

The Repair Area is located at the Paramount Site on the west foreshore of Nelson Pond and includes all of the area from the north end of building 25, north to the perimeter fence, then east to the northwest corner of building 26. Note that five slips in the southwest corner of the repair area are leased to Strait Marine.

Richmond Camp is located at the foot of No. 2 Road on the east side of the Paramount Pond and, though it is primarily a storage area and not a repair area, Steveston Harbour Authority may grant permission to vessel owners to do repairs under extenuating circumstances.

II. Procedure

II.A. Booking

Strait Marine manages bookings for all the slips in the repair area and charges vessel owners for use of the travel lift. Steveston Harbour Authority charges for rental of the repair slip where repairs are carried out, except for the five spots leased to Strait Marine as mentioned in section I.C. above. The SHA provides vessel stands in addition to some scaffolding, planking and blocking, but is not responsible for any lack thereof. Steveston Harbour Authority is not responsible for delays in the travel lift service.

II.B. Launching

Though Strait Marine operates the travel lift, vessel owners must obtain a launch authorization slip from the Steveston Harbour Authority before Strait Marine may launch any vessel from the repair area. A launch authorization slip will be provided by the SHA only after the vessel owner has paid all outstanding balances to the SHA, all scaffolding and planking has been returned to the SHA in good condition, and the slip the vessel was occupying is clean to the satisfaction of the SHA.

II.C. Repair Guidelines

All owners of vessels stored in the vessel storage area or repair area must sign a Vessel Berthage and Storage Agreement as a condition of occupancy.
All users must comply with Environment Canada's "Best Management Practices for Boat Building and Repair" and the SHA Environment Management & Responsibilities, directive #30.
All persons doing repairs in the SHA repair yard must operate in a safe and workmanlike manner at all times and must abide by all applicable safety standards, procedures, rules, statutes, regulations, by-laws and directives.
In the interest of public health, animals are not permitted on the sales float or aboard vessels utilizing the facility (unless confined to the vessel's cabin).
Vessels may stay for a maximum of 1 year. If a vessel remains after 1 year, they will be billed double the daily repair rate, plus the cost of 1 lift per month.
Any sanding, spray painting or other activities involving or producing airborne dust require a containment tarp.
Sand blasting is permitted only with the permission of SHA. The contractor will be responsible for disposing their sand at their own expense. The contractor will ensure the vessel is properly tarped to prevent overblasting. If overblasting does occur, the contractor is responsible for cleaning up any overblasting and is responsible for any cost incurred as a result.
All Independent Contractors operating on SHA property must carry valid Workers Compensation Board coverage and appropriate liability insurance for the type of business in which they are engaged.
All persons engaged in welding activity must keep a fully charged and working 20-lb. fire extinguisher on board whichever vessel they are performing repairs on at all times. A 1-hour fire watch is required post-welding.
Torching for the purposes of removing paint from a vessel is prohibited.
Vessel owners are responsible for cleaning their slip to the satisfaction of the SHA after repairs are completed. An Operations Patrol person may inspect the vessel's repair area slip to ensure that the site is clean and any scaffolding and planking has been returned prior to authorizing the launch of the vessel. Brooms and shovels are available for use at the main office free of charge provided they are returned promptly and in good condition once the slip is clean.
Any persons removing vessel stands (chocks), blocks, scaffolding or planking from the site will be prosecuted.
Use of SHA services and equipment is at one's own risk. Whether a user wishes to use the SHA's planking and scaffolding or their own, users are advised that the SHA is not responsible for any loss, damage or injury resultant thereof, and does not carry insurance for the user's benefit.

II.D. Parking

One vehicle per vessel is permitted to park in the vessel repair area while repairs are being done to the vessel, provided that it is parked directly behind the vessel and is not obstructing adjacent repair slips or the travel lift access lane.
With the exception of II.D.1. above, no parking is permitted in the vessel repair areas, docks or fire lanes. Vehicles that are parked in these areas or that obstruct the operation of the travel lift will be towed at the owner's expense. SHA may temporarily permit parking in designated sections within the repair area depending on operational needs and at our own discretion.
Independent Contractors doing work on a vessel in the repair yard are permitted to park their vehicle in the repair area so long as it is not an obstruction as described in II.D.1. and II.D.2. above and the equipment they are using is attached to the vehicle and essential to the repair of the vessel. A current SHA Independent Contractors decal must be clearly displayed.

II.E. Loading / Unloading

Loading / unloading of tools and equipment is permitted in the identified vessel repair areas and docks for a maximum of thirty minutes. Vehicles must then leave the yard and docks and park in a designated parking area if they are in addition to the one vehicle allowed to park in the repair area as described in II.D.1. above.

II.F. Daily Recording of Vessels

Use of the vessel repair area will be checked between 08:00 – 09:00 every morning and again periodically throughout the day by an Operations Patrol person. Vessels using the repair area and any planking or scaffolding will be recorded on the Repair Area Sheets.
Vessels in the repair area will be marked in and charged accordingly regardless of whether repairs are being done to the vessel at the time. It is the responsibility of each vessel owner to ensure repairs are done promptly as the SHA does not offer refunds for days on which repairs were not being done to the vessel.

II.G. Rates

Rates for use of the repair area are charged in accordance with the current SHA Rates Directive and are levied per day or any portion thereof, regardless of the length of the vessel.
110-volt power, water, boat stands, boat blocks, planking and routine garbage disposal is included in the cost of a repair area slip. Welding power is extra and is charged in accordance with the current SHA Rates Directive.
Scaffolding is available for a fee.

II.H. Access

The main Paramount entrance gate is open from 06:00 – 18:00 daily though the Steveston Harbour Authority may extend these times depending on the time of year, repair area use and local fishing activity. Vessel owners who require access to their vessel after hours can sign out a temporary scan card for the main gate entrance and exit for a $10.00 deposit.

II.I. Dry Land Vessel Storage Area

The main dry land storage area is located west of the vessel repair area and is reserved for active, licensed commercial fishing vessels only.
Storage rates are the same as berthage rates and are determined by vessel length in accordance with the current SHA Rates Directive.
Steveston Harbour Authority reserves the right to extend the storage area into the vessel repair area through the winter months starting November 1, or at its discretion. The owners of any vessels stored in the repair area must sign an agreement to have their vessel launched before February 28th to make room for vessels needing repairs. Failure to comply will result in vessel owners being charged the vessel repair rate for any time after February 28th and/or any charges associated with the relocation or launch of the vessel if required. All such charges will be levied in accordance with the current SHA Rates Directive.

Approved by the Board of Directors at their meeting on June 8, 2023.