Guidance

Water Incident Dataset (WaID) privacy notice

Updated 4 May 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maritime-and-coastguard-agency-privacy-notices/water-incident-dataset-waid-privacy-notice

1. How we use the information about you

This privacy notice describes how information is processed by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) in the Water Incident Dataset (WaID) hosted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The National Water Safety Forum is a UK-focused, voluntary network that works to reduce water-related deaths and associated harm. The forum was established in 2004 following a government review into water safety.

The forum works in partnership with:

  • MCA
  • RNLI
  • RoSPA
  • Fire and rescue services

NWSF will collectively gather and share incident data to facilitate improved awareness, reporting and prevention of water-related deaths.

The data will be analysed to:

  • determine the nature and outcome of drowning related incidents
  • identify populations, activities and/or locations at risk
  • identify underlying causes of incidents, and incident trends
  • identify and monitor potential and emerging risks
  • inform the development and targeting of prevention interventions
  • track the impact of prevention activities and strategies
  • communicate/raise awareness of trends, risks and other factors related to fatal and non-fatal water-related incidents

Please refer to each of the forum members privacy notices for further information on how they handle your data:

Non-identifiable personal characteristics will be used for analysis to ensure that drowning prevention activities are targeted for maximum impact.

2. Retaining information

Data held in WaID will be held for 12 years and will be reviewed after 3 years.

3. Sharing information

Personal information will not be shared with third parties, unless required or permitted to do so by law.

Data is primarily shared for the purposes described above and for research and statistical purposes, with data sharing agreements in place for any personal data to ensure the data shared complies with data protection legislation.

4. Storing your information

We will securely store the information in the UK. We do not routinely transfer data overseas but if this is necessary, we will ensure that we have the appropriate safeguards in place.

5. Automated decision making

We will not use automated decision making or profiling using any individual’s personal data.

6. Your rights

The UK GDPR sets out a number of rights which individuals have over their personal data, allowing you to request copies of your personal data and, in certain circumstances, to object to it being used for a certain purpose, or to have it deleted or modified.

To find out more please see our personal information charter.

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