Terms of Service

Introduction

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website anacostiamaritime.com (the "Site"), operated by Anacostia Maritime LLC ("Anacostia Maritime," "we," "us," or "our"), and any services we provide.

By accessing or using the Site, clicking on a button, or taking similar action to signify your affirmative acceptance, you ("you" or "user") represent that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you don't agree with any part of these Terms, we kindly ask that you not use the Site or engage our services.

1. About Anacostia Maritime

Anacostia Maritime LLC is a District of Columbia limited liability company providing maritime career consulting, credentialing assistance, and educational services to current and aspiring U.S. merchant mariners. Our services include but are not limited to:

• USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) application support
• Maritime career advisory and coaching
• Resume and professional materials preparation
• Industry network outreach and introductions
• Maritime exam preparation and tutoring
• Maritime education programs and curriculum

2. Use of the Site

Permitted Use. You may use the Site for lawful purposes including reviewing information about our services, contacting us, and submitting inquiries.

Prohibited Use. You agree not to use the Site to:

• Violate any federal, state, or local law or regulation
• Infringe upon the intellectual property or other rights of Anacostia Maritime or any third party
• Transmit harmful code, viruses, or malicious software
• Attempt unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or its underlying systems
• Harass, threaten, or impersonate any person
• Collect or harvest information about other users
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, crawlers) without our express written permission
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation
• Engage in any conduct that could disable, overburden, or impair the Site

3. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, designs, the "Anacostia Maritime" name and word mark, the Anacostia Maritime logo design, course materials, curriculum, and other proprietary content, is owned by or licensed to Anacostia Maritime LLC and is protected by U.S. and international intellectual property laws.

ANACOSTIA MARITIME™ is a trademark of Anacostia Maritime LLC. The Anacostia Maritime logo is a trademark of Anacostia Maritime LLC.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, publicly perform, or commercially exploit any content on the Site without our prior written permission, except that you may view, print, or download content for personal, non-commercial use.

4. Informational Nature of Site Content

The content on the Site is provided for general informational purposes only. Information about maritime credentials, U.S. Coast Guard regulations, career pathways, training programs, and industry practices is shared in good faith based on publicly available sources and Anacostia Maritime's professional experience.

Site content is not:

• Legal, financial, medical, or other licensed professional advice
• A substitute for direct consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Maritime Center, licensed maritime training facilities, employers, unions, or other qualified parties
• A guarantee of accuracy regarding regulations or requirements that may have changed since publication

Visitors are encouraged to verify any regulatory, credentialing, or career information directly with the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Maritime Center, or other authoritative sources before making decisions.

5. Service Engagements

Services provided by Anacostia Maritime are offered under separate written engagement agreements that set forth specific scope, deliverables, pricing, timelines, and terms applicable to each client. The Site is not itself a service agreement. Information on the Site about services, rates, or packages is informational and subject to confirmation in a signed engagement agreement.

No client-consultant relationship is formed merely by visiting the Site, submitting an inquiry, or receiving informal information. A formal client relationship begins only upon execution of a written engagement agreement and receipt of any required initial payment.

6. No Guarantee of Outcomes

Anacostia Maritime provides maritime career consulting, credentialing support, educational services, and industry guidance. We do not guarantee:

• Employment, interviews, job offers, or specific hiring outcomes
• Acceptance by any union, employer, training program, or educational institution
• Approval by the U.S. Coast Guard or National Maritime Center of any application
• A particular wage, role, vessel type, schedule, or career timeline
• Passing scores on USCG examinations or other credentialing assessments

Outcomes depend on factors outside Anacostia Maritime's control, including market conditions, employer decisions, regulatory determinations, and the client's own actions and follow-through.

7. Third-Party Content and Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services that are not owned or controlled by Anacostia Maritime. We provide these links as a convenience and do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party site. Your use of any third-party site is at your own risk and subject to that site's terms and policies.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and all content, information, and services offered through it are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Anacostia Maritime disclaims all warranties including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of harmful components, or that any defects will be corrected. You use the Site at your own risk.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Anacostia Maritime LLC, its members, managers, employees, contractors, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of data, loss of employment opportunity, or loss of goodwill, arising from or related to your use of the Site or our services.

Our total cumulative liability arising from or related to the Site or any service engagement shall not exceed the amount you paid to Anacostia Maritime in connection with the specific service giving rise to the claim, or one hundred U.S. dollars ($100), whichever is greater.

10. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Anacostia Maritime LLC, its members, managers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use of the Site or our services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party right, including intellectual property, privacy, or contractual rights
• Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Site

11. Electronic Communications and Signatures

By using the Site, submitting inquiries, or engaging our services, you consent to receive electronic communications from Anacostia Maritime. Electronic signatures, including those executed through e-signature platforms, are valid and binding under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act) and applicable state law.

12. User Feedback

If you submit ideas, suggestions, comments, or feedback to us through the Site, email, or any other channel ("Feedback"), you agree that such Feedback is non-confidential and that we may use, copy, modify, distribute, and incorporate the Feedback into our services or business operations without compensation or attribution to you. You represent that you have all rights necessary to submit the Feedback and that the Feedback does not violate any third party's rights.

13. Privacy

Your use of the Site and our services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Site, you acknowledge having reviewed the Privacy Policy.

14. Changes to These Terms

Anacostia Maritime may modify these Terms at any time by posting an updated version on the Site. The "Last updated" date at the top of these Terms will reflect the date of the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated through the Site or by direct notice where appropriate. Your continued use of the Site or our services after such changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or related to these Terms, the Site, or our services shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation between the parties. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, the dispute shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the District of Columbia, and both parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

You waive any right to participate in a class action, class arbitration, or representative action against Anacostia Maritime to the extent permitted by applicable law.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining provisions of these Terms remain in full force and effect.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any signed engagement agreements, constitute the entire agreement between you and Anacostia Maritime LLC regarding your use of the Site and our services, superseding any prior or contemporaneous communications or agreements.

18. Contact

Questions about these Terms may be directed to: