Findings from the second shipboard trial proved that SeaWell holds up even under the demanding conditions of a container vessel. Now, insights from onboard testing are directly shaping the app’s development. During a workshop at the ZfAM, the application was evaluated through the eyes of the crew—yielding targeted improvements for onboarding, navigation, language, visual assets, recommendations, and health data management.
What must SeaWell deliver to ensure seafarers understand it, use it, and value it as a helpful resource?
Five Core Scenarios in Testing
SeaWell was evaluated from the perspective of its primary user persona: a seafarer working shifts, strapped for time, with spotty internet connectivity, an Android smartphone, and limited English proficiency. For this user, both the practical value of the application and how personal data is handled must be instantly clear. The team mapped out the complete end-to-end user experience—from initial setup and questionnaires to health interventions, daily tips, actionable recommendations, and personal health dashboards.
During the app walkthrough, participants logged their initial observations, which were then synthesized into core action items: navigation, data comprehension, trust, language, visual language, user motivation, and offline capability constraints.
Key Findings from the Workshop
The cross-functional team consolidated their onboard observations into a unified UX roadmap. Among the top priorities were frictionless onboarding, intuitive navigation, and concise, plain-language copy. Non-essential profile fields can now be deferred, technical jargon is explained in plain terms, and guided flows help direct users where they need to go.
Visual design plays an equally vital role: clear icons, custom illustrations, and bite-sized audio or video clips make health interventions faster to digest and far more engaging. When handling sensitive health data, complete transparency is vital to building user trust. Rather than showing isolated data points, the Health Dashboard puts long-term trends into context, offering concrete, actionable guidance to enhance overall well-being on board.
Ultimately, success isn't just about technical performance—it's about whether SeaWell is understood, trusted, and embraced as a truly useful companion in daily life at sea.
