Marine Safety Acknowledgment

Version 1.3 — Effective February 22, 2026

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before using Good Buoy, you must understand and acknowledge the following:

1. NOT FOR NAVIGATION

This application is NOT a navigation tool.

Good Buoy is designed for casual informational use only. It must NOT be used for:

  • Making sole or primary decisions about whether conditions are safe for boating or water activities
  • Planning commercial maritime operations
  • Emergency response or rescue coordination
  • Determining safe routes or harbor approaches
  • Navigating vessels or determining safe passage

Nautical chart overlays showing depth contours, channels, and hazards are for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Chart data may not reflect the most current conditions (e.g., recent dredging, new obstructions). Depth data displayed in the App may be inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete.

2. Weather Data Limitations

Data Delays

Buoy observations displayed in this app may be delayed from 5 minutes to several hours or more from actual conditions due to data transmission delays, sensor outages, or network issues. Weather at sea changes rapidly. Conditions may be significantly different from what is shown.

Sensor Limitations

Marine weather sensors can:

  • Fail without warning and report incorrect data
  • Drift from calibration over time
  • Experience communication outages for hours or days
  • Be affected by marine growth (biofouling)
  • Report data from a single point that doesn't represent your location

Coverage Gaps

  • Buoys are spaced miles apart
  • Conditions between buoys can vary dramatically
  • Some regions have minimal or no coverage
  • Offshore buoys may not reflect coastal conditions

Chart Data Limitations

  • Chart overlays are sourced from NOAA Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data which updates on a weekly cycle
  • Cached chart tiles may not reflect the latest updates
  • Chart coverage is limited to U.S. waters
  • Depth contours are approximate and must not be used for navigation

Anchor Alarm Limitations

The anchor alarm feature is a supplemental monitoring tool only. It must NOT be used as a substitute for proper anchor watches or dedicated marine alarm systems. Limitations include:

  • iOS may suspend or terminate background processes, causing monitoring gaps
  • GPS accuracy varies and may produce false readings in certain conditions
  • The alarm depends on device battery, cellular signal, and GPS availability
  • Phone hardware failures, software updates, or restarts will stop monitoring
  • Never rely solely on any app for vessel safety while anchored

3. Your Responsibility

As a user, you acknowledge that:

  1. You are solely responsible for your own safety and decisions
  2. You will check official sources (NOAA Weather Radio, VHF marine weather, official forecasts) before any marine activity
  3. You understand that ocean conditions can be deadly and change without warning
  4. You will not rely on this app as your primary weather information source
  5. You have read and understood the Terms of Service and their liability limitations

4. Official Resources

For marine safety, always consult:

  • NOAA Weather Radio - Continuous weather broadcasts
  • VHF Channel 16 - Coast Guard monitoring and emergencies
  • weather.gov/marine - Official marine forecasts
  • Your local Coast Guard - For current conditions and warnings

5. Emergency Information

In an emergency at sea, contact the U.S. Coast Guard:

  • VHF Channel 16
  • **Cell Phone: Dial CG (24) or 911
  • Landline: Call nearest Coast Guard station

Do NOT rely on this app during emergencies.

6. Limitation of Liability

Good Buoy, LLC and its developers shall not be liable for any injury, death, property damage, or other loss resulting from use of or reliance on information provided by this application.

This app provides informational data only. Any decisions made based on this information are made entirely at your own risk. By using this application, you expressly waive any claims against Good Buoy, LLC, its developers, and its data providers.

Acknowledgment

By pressing "I Acknowledge" below, you confirm that you:

  • Have read and understood this safety information
  • Understand this app is NOT for navigation or safety decisions
  • Will consult official sources for marine weather
  • Accept full responsibility for your own safety
  • Understand that Good Buoy, LLC is not liable for any harm resulting from use of this app
  • Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy