It’s right there in the open. Install windows and you’ll see it. There is personalised ads in the start menu and the os is uploading your private files to the cloud automatically, taking screenshots and uploading them, etc. It’s not hidden whatsoever.

Microsoft are integrating adware and spyware straight into the os.

I’ve sailed there, granted it was on a merchant ship, and it varies a lot. If it’s little or no wind or a slight breeze from the west he would be fine weatherwise but when we had a small storm pass through it was a bit rough even on a 200m ship. Would look carefully on the weather report before attempting this, especially since he was towing his fuel.