How the Visual Co-Pilot Was Designed to Bridge Algorithms and Real Decisions at Sea

Interview with Marli Fraser – Product Manager at SafeNav 

A few days ago, we had a deep conversation with Marli, our Product Manager and UX/UI specialist at SafeNav. The idea was simple: to tell the story behind the system. But what emerged was much more than that a powerful vision of how to design technology that truly connects with people, reduces risks, and transforms maritime navigation. 

In the development of tech systems for the maritime industry, the interface is often underestimated. But at SafeNav, we understood from the beginning that if we wanted to reduce risks, improve operations, and protect lives and assets at sea, the user experience had to be as robust as the most advanced algorithm. 

That meant more than design it meant research, empathy, continuous validation, and direct collaboration with those who truly know the sea. 

The Vision Behind the Interface 

Marli embraced that challenge from day one. With a mix of creative sensitivity, technical thinking, and strategic curiosity, she found in SafeNav a project that deeply resonated with how she works and thinks. 

“I was drawn to the idea of building something from scratch in an industry that was completely new to me. SafeNav combined the technical with the creative, and that allowed me to learn, research, and create like it was one big puzzle.” 

Designing for the Sea, Not the Screen 

Unlike other industries, designing navigation systems for the maritime sector can’t be improvised or oversimplified. These are people making critical decisions under pressure, in complex environments, with realities ranging from a bridge in Norway to a cargo ship in the Caribbean. 

That’s why Marli’s work wasn’t just about design: it was about deeply researching the real needs of navigators, understanding their environments, their thought processes, their operational language. And doing it side by side with captains, officers, and seafarers from different routes, levels, and cultures. 

“I worked daily with advisors who are actual navigators, including Jorgen himself. Listening to their experiences, understanding their mental and emotional processes, was key. That’s when I realized that simplicity is the most complex challenge of all.” 

Designing for the sea meant stepping into a space where poorly understood simplicity could endanger an operation. So the goal was to achieve clarity without losing detail, to support decision-making without reducing precision, and to build a visually intuitive system that left nothing to chance. 

“Simplicity is not the same as less information. It’s a fine line. What feels simple to one person might not be to another. I learned that achieving clarity requires rigor, empathy, and many iterations.” 

A System with Global Standards and a Soul of Its Own 

The design work wasn’t done in a vacuum. It was developed within international frameworks such as OpenBridge an open design system for the maritime sector that ensures compatibility and regulatory compliance. Marli used those standards as a foundation and carefully adapted them to build a functional, cohesive, and unique interface for SafeNav. 

Every decision was validated with real navigators, through testing and iteration cycles that accompanied every phase of development. And that not only strengthened the product it also created a bond with the maritime community and sparked interest from key players in the sector. 

“The demos with real seafarers were incredibly powerful. They gave us direct feedback, but also helped us connect with investors. Seeing that our work generated real interest was amazing.” 

A Co-Pilot Born from Empathy 

Today, SafeNav continues to grow, with a clear purpose: to create a Co-Pilot that supports navigators in every critical decision, enhancing safety, optimizing operations, and reducing emissions. And that vision wouldn’t have been possible without a team that understood design not as a superficial layer, but as the bridge that connects technology to real life. 

“SafeNav has become something deeply personal for me. I’ve seen it grow like something of my own, with the full commitment of the team. It’s given me purpose and shown me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.” 

A Message Beyond Technology 

For Marli, this journey has not only been technical it’s been human. That’s why she closes the conversation with a message that inspires: 

“Women have so much to contribute in complex industries like this. If there’s interest, there’s a way. Diversity drives innovation, and we need more voices, more ideas, more perspectives. You have to trust yourself, stand firm, be authentic, and never settle.” 

SafeNav is not just a system. It’s the result of rigorous collective work, validated by those who know the sea, and designed by people who believe technology can and must serve those who need it. 

This article is just a small window into the commitment behind every function, every button, and every alert. Because behind every layer of code, there are people like Marli designing the future of the sea with purpose. 

Are you a navigator, captain, or superintendent? 

We invite you to experience the SafeNav demo and see how our technology can help you make safer, more precise, and more sustainable decisions at sea. 
Validated by seafarers. Designed for you. 

🔗 Request your personalized demo here: https://www.safenavsystem.com/contact