These Terms of Service (“Terms”) are a binding agreement between you and STEM Maritime Systems LLC (“we,” “us,” “our”) governing your access to and use of the CHIEFMATE software, websites, applications, and related services (collectively, the “Service”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.
CHIEFMATE is a professional planning, reference, training, and backup tool for mariners. It provides navigation calculations, charts, weather information, stability tools, reference material, and related features.
CHIEFMATE is NOT a certified navigation system. It is not type-approved ECDIS, it is not a substitute for your vessel's certified navigation equipment, official paper or electronic charts, official publications, or the exercise of professional judgment and good seamanship. You must never rely on CHIEFMATE as your sole means of navigation, position-fixing, or safety decision-making. The mariner remains solely responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the vessel at all times.
You must provide accurate information when registering and keep your password secure. You are responsible for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
You may cancel at any time from your account. Cancellation stops future charges; your access continues until the end of the current paid period. See our Refund Policy for details.
You agree not to: misuse or interfere with the Service; reverse engineer, copy, resell, or redistribute the Service except as permitted; share your account credentials; upload unlawful content; or use the Service to violate any law or regulation.
Individual plan license scope: Watch Officer and Master plans are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only and are intended for individual mariners studying or using the Service on a single vessel for personal professional development. Commercial vessel operations — including any use aboard a vessel operated as part of a fleet owned or managed by a company, operator, or organization — require a Commercial Single Vessel or Fleet plan. Purchasing multiple individual accounts to circumvent commercial or fleet pricing is a violation of these Terms and may result in immediate termination of all associated accounts without refund.
You retain ownership of the data you enter (logbooks, voyage plans, vessel details, uploaded documents). You grant us a limited license to store and process it solely to provide the Service to you. You are responsible for the content you upload and must have the rights to it.
The Service, including its software, design, and content we provide, is owned by STEM Maritime Systems LLC and protected by law. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Service for its intended purpose while your account is in good standing.
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. We do not warrant that data, calculations, charts, or weather information are accurate, complete, current, or error-free, or that the Service will be uninterrupted. You use the Service at your own risk.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STEM Maritime Systems LLC AND ITS SUPPLIERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, VESSELS, CARGO, PROPERTY, OR LIFE, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF — OR INABILITY TO USE — THE SERVICE, INCLUDING ANY NAVIGATION, ROUTING, STABILITY, OR SAFETY DECISION. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless STEM Maritime Systems LLC from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service, your content, or your violation of these Terms.
We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms. You may stop using the Service at any time. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including Sections 9–11) will survive.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute will be resolved in the courts located there.
We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with a new effective date; continued use after changes means you accept them.
Questions about these Terms? Email support@stemmaritimesystems.com.