Provided is a radar and communications enhanced sail for a sailboat, sail ship, or sail drone. The sail includes a first sail section comprising an active communication system, a second sail section comprising a passive communication system, or a combination thereof. The active communication system includes an antenna array (transceiver) and a software-defined radio (SDR), while the passive communication system comprises a reflective panel or sections and/or array of reflector panels or sections. The active system utilizes its SDR and transceiver to communicate back and forth with an onshore SDR and transceiver to provide information as necessary. The passive system receives a radar signal via the reflective material on the sail and reflects the signal back at the radar, which produces a radar cross section indicating that there is an object (in this case the sailboat) in the ocean.

An underwater communications network may include spaced apart nodes on a bottom of a body of water. The underwater communications network may also include fiber optic cabling connecting the spaced apart nodes. Each node may include a frame, a node short-range navigation device carried by the frame, and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) carried by the frame after delivering a fiber optic cable along a navigation path from an adjacent node. The UUV may be configured to cooperate with the node short-range navigation device during an end portion of the navigation path adjacent the frame.

A vessel docking system has a vessel such as a scow and/or a tugboat, a platform such as a barge and/or a dredger, an optical distance measuring means, a vessel display unit, and a control means. The vessel display unit is configured to display a position and a location of the vessel and/or the platform. The optical distance measuring means is in communication with the vessel display unit. The optical distance measuring means includes a sensor, a laser, and lens. The optical distance measuring means is configured to determine a distance and a pathway between the platform and the vessel.

An underwater communications system includes a network communication interface, one or more computer processors, and a memory containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of the one or more computer processors, performs an operation. The operation includes storing a plurality of data packets to be transmitted to a destination device, determining that data communications over the network communication interface have become available for a first network node, and determining that the first network node has a valid security credential that has not been revoked by an access granting authority. Additionally, the operation includes, upon determining that the first network node has the valid security credential, transmitting the stored plurality of data packets over the network communication interface to the first network node. The first network node is configured to employ store-carry-and-forward data messaging techniques to transmit the plurality of data packets towards the destination device.

Exemplary systems enable operation of mobile devices underwater. Antennas on a buoy assembly allow a mobile device to maintain wireless communications. A series of cable segments connect a buoy assembly to a waterproof case capable of sealing a mobile device.

An autonomous watercraft with a waterproof container that houses a satellite communication terminal. The waterproof container includes a first shell mounted on a deck of the watercraft and that has a sealed first interior space that contains satellite communication circuitry of the terminal. The waterproof container also includes a second shell mounted under the deck of the watercraft and that has a sealed second interior space that contains the processing circuitry of the terminal. The first and second shells include ports configured to receive connectors for communication signaling and/or power. The first shell can also include a pressure port to pressurize the first interior space for use in leak detection. The shells can also include heat sinks to cool the satellite communication terminal.

Implementations of communication devices may include: a housing having a hollow compartment in a waterproof shell. The waterproof shell may be configured to float on a surface of water. The communication device may include a computing system having a memory and a processor within the hollow compartment of the housing. The communication device may include an onboard power unit electrically coupled with the computing system. One or more radios may be coupled with the housing and with the onboard power unit and the computing system. The one or more radios may be configured to act as a gateway by receiving data from one or more watercrafts and transmitting the data to one or more receivers over a radio telecommunication channel.

A laser-powered ice-penetrating communications payload delivery vehicle for sub-ice submarine missions enables under-ice operations to exchange information with terrestrial facilities or satellite networks with communications methods otherwise blocked by an ice cap. The vehicle comprises an electronics bay, a payload bay, optics bay, and a melt optic with laser. The system and method of establishing communication where the vehicle, tethered to a sub-ice vessel, is released. The vehicle ascends to the bottom of an ice sheet and uses a laser to melt the ice, forming a borehole through which the vehicle continues to ascend. When buoyancy no longer advances the vehicle beyond sea level, the vehicle continues to melt a conical opening through the ice until unobstructed atmosphere is reached and bi-directional communication is established. Where the melting capacity cannot reach ice to continue melting, the vehicle mechanically advances itself toward the surface to establish high bandwidth, bi-directional communication.

A method for determining a displacement of an anchor is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining an initial position of the anchor; and determining a displacement of the anchor. The step of determining the displacement of the anchor includes (i) measuring anchor velocity values, (ii) measuring at least one further physical quantity associated with the anchoring, (iii) deciding whether the anchor is at rest or in motion, wherein a value of the further physical quantity is taken into account in the decision, and (iv) integrating the velocity values over time during intervals when the anchor is deemed to be in motion.

The present embodiments relate to launch and recovery systems for a remotely operated vehicle. The embodiments eliminate or minimize the need for load lines, and provide virtually unlimited excursion distances for remotely operated vehicles, limited only by the amount of tether available at the launch point. Further, the embodiments allow for extended deployments of ROVs by allowing recharging of a tether climbing component while submerged. The system can include a launch and recovery assembly, a tether climbing component, and a remotely operated vehicle attached to a remotely operated vehicle tether. The launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at a desired depth.