Marine Rescue NSW
Seahawk is a messaging system designed to streamline communications across 48 bases. The project focused on an intuitive, desktop-based web application that prioritises critical messages, simplifies user management and improves operational efficiency — while staying accessible to an older user base.
- Client
- Marine Rescue NSW
- Category
- UX/UI Design
- My role
- Lead UX/UI Designer
The brief.
The existing communication processes at Marine Rescue were fragmented, with no dedicated web application to manage messaging efficiently. Seahawk set out to centralise messaging for callouts, announcements, marketing and operational alerts, while prioritising critical updates such as vessel positions, overdue vessel statuses and emergency protocols.
The target users, aged 40+, needed a system that was intuitive, accessible and easy to adopt, supported by training sessions. User research — interviews, competitor analysis and observation sessions — was carried out to understand navigation habits, pain points and workflow preferences. That research informed the system architecture, so the application met user needs while supporting Marine Rescue’s operational priorities.
How it came together.
A user-centric and iterative design process was applied:
- Mapped micro user flows to communicate functionality and benefits to Marine Rescue leadership
- Developed an intuitive information architecture prioritising essential features such as SMS sending, template creation, trip monitoring, SKED alerts and emergency protocols
- Created sketches, wireframes and high-fidelity designs in Figma, applying a cohesive visual language aligned with the MRNSW brand identity
- Built a design library to keep components consistent and streamline collaboration with developers
- Implemented accessibility features, including keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility and high-contrast modes
- Ran iterative user testing post-launch to refine usability, workflow efficiency and overall experience
Where it landed.
The final Seahawk system:
- Delivered a robust desktop messaging platform tailored to the operational needs of 48 bases
- Streamlined management of critical and non-critical messages with tiered access and user group features
- Provided an accessible and intuitive experience for older users
- Enabled effective communication planning through scheduled messages and standardised templates
- Established a scalable and maintainable design system for ongoing updates and iterative improvements
Selected work
8 images
