Systems and methods and described herein that can enable accurate forecasting of ship motions and the useful displaying of such forecasts to users. In general, the ship motion forecasting systems and methods provide users with graphical indication of ship motion forecasts in the form of operational period indicators. These operational period indicators are generated such that the ship motion forecasts under at least one motion threshold for a time period exceeding a time threshold are indicated in a first way, while ship motion forecasts not under the at least one motion threshold for the time period exceeding the time threshold are indicated in a second way, different from the first way. This can facilitate the quick determination of operational status by a user and thus allow a user to quickly ascertain when conditions are likely to be such that certain ship operations can be safely performed.

Communication network architectures, systems and methods for supporting and/or effectively utilizing a network of mobile and/or static nodes. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide communication network architectures, systems, and methods for supporting a dynamically configurable communication network comprising a complex array of both static and moving communication nodes (e.g., the Internet of moving things, autonomous vehicle networks, etc.). For example, a communication network, or one or more nodes thereof, implemented in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure provide for efficient operation of distribution centers (e.g., ports, rail hubs, air freight hubs, etc.) that include networks of moving things. For example, in an example implementation, various aspects of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for efficiently controlling the operation of vehicles (e.g., boats, tugboats, ships, trucks, etc.) involved in port operations.

Method and apparatus for an improved recreational canopy which may be used with watercraft wherein the canopy is constructed by using a pair of flexible, resilient rod-like members wherein one end of each of the flexible rods is inserted through mating apertures in an upright support member mounted onto the watercraft, or other structure, so that the rods are bowed outwardly and frictionally held in the stanchion. A canopy, which may incorporate solar cell fabric, is attached between the rods so that the canopy generally appears to be in an elongated V-shaped structure which stretches across a portion of the supporting structure, such as a watercraft, between the flexible rods. The upper end of the upright support member may be pivotable and the rod-like members may be disposed in a cap removably disposed on the upper end of the upright support member. A lighting system including an alternative power source being provided on the canopy. Also, a user driven pedal system for providing propulsion to a kayak watercraft is shown which includes a generator driven by the pedal system for providing additional electrical energy for use on the watercraft and for propelling a kayak by either a propeller or flappers.

Method and apparatus for an improved recreational canopy which may be used with watercraft wherein the canopy is constructed by using a pair of flexible, resilient rod-like members wherein one end of each of the flexible rods is inserted through mating apertures in an upright support member mounted onto the watercraft, or other structure, so that the rods are bowed outwardly and frictionally held in the stanchion. A canopy, which may incorporate solar cell fabric, is attached between the rods so that the canopy generally appears to be in an elongated V-shaped structure which stretches across a portion of the supporting structure, such as a watercraft, between the flexible rods. The upper end of the upright support member may be pivotable and the rod-like members may be disposed in a cap removably disposed on the upper end of the upright support member. A lighting system including an alternative power source being provided on the canopy. Also, a user driven pedal system for providing propulsion to a kayak watercraft is shown which includes a generator driven by the pedal system for providing additional electrical energy for use on the watercraft and for propelling a kayak by either a propeller or flappers.

A vessel load measurement system includes a laser measurement system configured to measure distances and angles by directing a laser of the laser measurement system onto remote laser targets and a controller configured to use the laser measurement system to measure a height of a first laser target placed at a known location on a vessel, obtain pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and compute at least one vessel corner height based on the measured height of the first laser target at the known location on the vessel, the pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and known dimensions of the vessel. The first laser target may be part of a jig that can be placed at a known location on the vessel. The jig may include at least one tilt sensor. An additional laser target may be used to measure the water level.

A vessel load measurement system includes a laser measurement system configured to measure distances and angles by directing a laser of the laser measurement system onto remote laser targets and a controller configured to use the laser measurement system to measure a height of a first laser target placed at a known location on a vessel, obtain pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and compute at least one vessel corner height based on the measured height of the first laser target at the known location on the vessel, the pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and known dimensions of the vessel. The first laser target may be part of a jig that can be placed at a known location on the vessel. The jig may include at least one tilt sensor. An additional laser target may be used to measure the water level.

A bilge pump monitoring system for a bilge pump on a marine vessel includes a current sensor configured to measure a current draw of the bilge pump, and a bilge pump monitor module executable on a processor. The bilge pump monitor module is configured to receive current draw measurements by the current sensor and determine a pump diagnosis of the bilge pump based on the current draw measurements. The pump diagnosis is then wirelessly communicated to a user located remotely from the marine vessel.

A bilge pump monitoring system for a bilge pump on a marine vessel includes a current sensor configured to measure a current draw of the bilge pump, and a bilge pump monitor module executable on a processor. The bilge pump monitor module is configured to receive current draw measurements by the current sensor and determine a pump diagnosis of the bilge pump based on the current draw measurements. The pump diagnosis is then wirelessly communicated to a user located remotely from the marine vessel.

A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a global position and/or heading includes receiving measurements related to vessel attitude and estimating water roughness conditions based on the measurements. A difference between the vessel's actual global position and the target global position and/or a difference between the vessel's actual heading and the target heading are determined. The method includes calculating a desired linear velocity based on the position difference and/or a desired rotational velocity based on the heading difference. The vessel's actual linear velocity and/or actual rotational velocity are filtered based on the roughness conditions. The method includes determining a difference between the desired linear velocity and the filtered actual linear velocity and/or a difference between the desired rotational velocity and the filtered actual rotational velocity. The method also includes calculating vessel movements that will minimize the linear velocity difference and/or rotational velocity difference and carrying out the calculated movements.

A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a global position and/or heading includes receiving measurements related to vessel attitude and estimating water roughness conditions based on the measurements. A difference between the vessel's actual global position and the target global position and/or a difference between the vessel's actual heading and the target heading are determined. The method includes calculating a desired linear velocity based on the position difference and/or a desired rotational velocity based on the heading difference. The vessel's actual linear velocity and/or actual rotational velocity are filtered based on the roughness conditions. The method includes determining a difference between the desired linear velocity and the filtered actual linear velocity and/or a difference between the desired rotational velocity and the filtered actual rotational velocity. The method also includes calculating vessel movements that will minimize the linear velocity difference and/or rotational velocity difference and carrying out the calculated movements.