SRT Marine: A Connected Digital Experience at Sea
Transforming complex maritime communication systems into an intuitive software experience for crews and passengers alike.
Client:
SRT Marine
Role:
Product Designer
Duration:
6 months
Year:
2023-2024
About the Project
SRT Marine Systems PLC is a global leader in maritime surveillance, communications and domain awareness technology. For more than 30 years, the company has developed mission-critical systems used by commercial operators, governments and maritime authorities around the world.
Following the launch of a new range of advanced onboard communication radios, SRT identified an opportunity to extend key communication and safety features beyond the bridge. The goal was to create a connected companion experience that would allow crew members and passengers to access critical onboard systems directly from their mobile devices.
The Challenge
This wasn't a redesign of an existing product. SRT had ambitious ideas but no established digital experience to build upon. They wanted to innovate and create something that was a first of it’s kind.
The challenge was to translate traditionally analogue maritime technologies, including VHF radio, AIS vessel tracking and Digital Selective Calling (DSC), into an intuitive mobile and smartwatch application without compromising the reliability and familiarity expected in professional marine environments.
Working alongside key stakeholders, we began by understanding the operational needs of crews, captains and passengers before defining the product from the ground up. The experience needed to simplify highly technical workflows while supporting complex features such as vessel mapping, selective communication, collision warnings, crew management and industry-first Man Overboard functionality.
The result would bridge the gap between dedicated onboard hardware and a modern connected experience, helping position SRT alongside competitors such as Garmin while offering capabilities unavailable elsewhere in the market.
The Solution
The final product consisted of a suite of connected mobile and smartwatch applications designed to complement SRT Marine's next generation of communication hardware.
By bringing together VHF radio, AIS vessel tracking, DSC calling, real-time maritime mapping, crew communication, health and safety alerts, collision warnings and Man Overboard detection into a single connected experience, the applications extended essential onboard functionality beyond the bridge without replacing the trusted hardware at its core.
Designed for both iOS and Android, the companion applications provided crews and passengers with immediate access to critical information wherever they were on board, creating a safer, more connected and more accessible maritime experience.
“They understood the project quicker and got further in 3 weeks than our previous company did in a year.”
“Working with the Ross and the wider New Icon team has been a fantastic experience. Their attention to detail and ability to break down complex hardware challenges into a mobile application with a great user experience is exactly what we needed.
They understood the project quicker and got further in 3 weeks than our previous company did in a year. Every delivery exceeded expectations and truly reflected what we had envisioned for the final product. "
Shaun Horan
Head of Transceiver Development, SRT Marine Systems
-Discovery Workshops
-Information Architecture
-Persona Mapping
-User Flow Mapping
-UX Wireframes
-UI Visual Design
-Clickable Prototypes
-Design System Design
From initial idea to final solution, including a suite of interfaces for dark mode, light mode and night-time mode.
