Shom REFMAR
We carried out a complete redesign of the national REFMAR portal, dedicated to sea level observation. This project was conducted for Shom (Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy). The modernized portal makes it easier to access tide gauge data for various applications, meeting the needs of scientific partners, government services, researchers, and students.
Our missions
- UX design
- UI design
- Development
- Maintenance
- Accommodation
- Back-office training
The issues at stake in the project
Shom is the leading public institution responsible for describing the physical marine environment and forecasting its evolution in French areas. Within this framework, the REFMAR project (Reference Network for Tide Gauge Observations) aims to:
- Provide high-quality information on sea level observation.
- Make observation metadata easily accessible, enhance the value of collected data, and provide technical information on tide gauging.
- Disseminate and promote transmission methods that are appropriate and compliant with international standards (UNESCO/IOC/GLOSS).
State Design System: a guarantee of quality and speed for the redesign
The site is based on the State Design System (DSFR), a library of graphic components that ensures a consistent interface compliant with usability and accessibility standards. Now familiar with DSFR, we have developed a starter theme for Figma and Drupal, integrating ready-to-use components (settings, CSS styles, header, footer, paragraphs), saving considerable time on our DSFR projects!
An interactive map to view and download tide gauge data
Integrated as an iframe from the reference portal data.shom.fr, this map is preconfigured to focus only on water level measurement stations, the main topic of the site. However, users have the possibility to modify this filter to access all the data available on the Shom portal, such as waves, oceanographic forecasts, wrecks, or even maritime boundaries.
Automatic data update
Some of the information on the site is automatically updated from the Shom's scientific databases. This includes in particular:
- Tide gauge readings carried out at various sites across the territory.
- Maps and tables from the Shom database, allowing users to consult archives of tide observations, filterable by period and location.
Digital accessibility: 97% compliant with RGAA
We conducted a rigorous accessibility audit, based on the General Accessibility Improvement Framework (RGAA), a set of criteria defined by the French government aimed at making websites accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Thanks to our methodical approach, we achieved a 97% compliance rate. This work was made easier here by the use of DSFR, which is built on the standard digital accessibility guidelines.
Redesign of the national portal dedicated to sea level monitoring
The Shom's opinion on the redesign of its Drupal website with us
Thanks to their professionalism and expertise, the bluedrop.fr team supported the redesign of the REFMAR portal, providing a visitor experience that was completely rethought, streamlined, simplified, and intuitive. I would like to congratulate the entire team for their availability, commitment, attentiveness, and ability to demonstrate creativity.
