A water area object detection system includes a first imager to image an object around a hull, a second imager provided on the hull such that an imaging direction of the second imager is the same or substantially the same as an imaging direction of the first imager and operable to image the object around the hull, and a controller configured or programmed to perform a control to create a water area map around the hull based on images captured by the first imager and the second imager. The second imager is spaced apart in an upward-downward direction of the hull from the first imager, and the first imager is spaced apart in the imaging direction from the second imager so as not to overlap the second imager in the upward-downward direction perpendicular to the imaging direction.

A water area object detection system includes an imager to capture an image around a hull, and a controller configured or programmed to perform a control to detect a feature point corresponding to an object in the image together with a distance to the feature point based on the image captured by the imager to create a water area map in which an object presence range including a likelihood that the object is present is set around the feature point. The controller is configured or programmed to reduce the object presence range as the distance from the imager to the feature point decreases, and set a size of the object presence range to a lower limit when the distance from the imager to the feature point is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

A marine propulsion system includes at least one propulsion device and a user input device configured to facilitate input for engaging automatic propulsion control functionality with respect to a docking surface, wherein the user input device includes a direction indicator display configured to visually indicate a direction with respect to the marine vessel. A controller is configured to identify a potential docking surface, determine a direction of the potential docking surface with respect to the marine vessel, and control the direction indicator display to indicate the direction of the potential docking surface with respect to the marine vessel. When a user selection is received via the user input device to select the potential docking surface as a selected docking surface, and propulsion of the marine vessel is automatically controlled by controlling the at least one propulsion device to move the marine vessel with respect to the selected docking surface.

Systems, assemblies, and methods for conveniently operating marine devices associated with a watercraft are provided herein. An example system includes a controller, a sensor module, and a marine device. The controller is configured to receive a user input indicating a desired action via the sensor module and transmit a signal to the marine device to cause the marine device to operate in a particular manner. The sensor module may include one or more motion sensors, and the controller may be configured to filter unintentional movement from the raw motion data sensed by the sensor module, such as due to movement of the watercraft floating on the surface of the water. Thus, the system may enable convenient and intuitive control over various marine devices associated with the watercraft.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to suppress an error which occurs in movement, such as in anchoring a ship. A ship navigation assistance system includes a measurement sensor and a characteristic information updating module. The measurement sensor acquires measurement information on an object using a ranging result of an area including the object that is an anchorage target of a ship. The characteristic information updating module updates characteristic information on the object using initial characteristic information on the object or characteristic information before updating on the object, and the measurement information.

A method of automatically moving, by an automatic location placement system, a marine vessel includes receiving, by a central processing unit, from a vision ranging photography system, at least one optical feed including data providing a mapping of an environment surrounding a marine vessel. The method includes displaying, by the central processing unit, on a touch screen monitor, the mapping of the environment. The method includes receiving, by the central processing unit, from the touch screen monitor, target location data. The method includes directing, by the central processing unit, at least one element of a propulsion system of the marine vessel, to move the marine vessel to the targeted location, using the mapping.

A watercraft maneuvering system includes watercraft maneuvering stations to steer and adjust a propulsive force of a watercraft and including a main station including a steering wheel to steer the watercraft and an acceleration lever to adjust the propulsive force, and a substation spaced apart from the main station and including a joystick to both steer the watercraft and adjust the propulsive force. By operating a joystick button provided in the substation, an operative station may be switched from the main station to the substation. At the same time, a control mode may be switched to a joystick mode.

Methods and systems described herein can assist a user when loading a watercraft onto a trailer (e.g., at a boat ramp). For example, position data generated by sensor(s) coupled to the watercraft and/or trailer can cause one or more propulsion devices associated with the watercraft to automatically (e.g., without user intervention) position the watercraft onto the trailer, for example, by controlling the power and/or thrust direction of the propulsion device(s).

A vehicle for assisting a docking operation for a marine vessel. The vehicle includes a position sensor operable to detect a position of the marine vessel. A first controller is communicatively coupled with the position sensor. The first controller is operable to receive a first instruction from a second controller corresponding to the marine vessel to monitor the position sensor. The first controller is further operable to receive positional data corresponding to the position of the marine vessel relative to a dock. The first controller is further operable to communicate the positional data to the second controller to assist with the docking operation.

Example steering control systems for multiple devices are provided herein. A system includes a trolling motor assembly having a propulsion motor and a steering actuator and a sonar assembly comprising a transducer assembly and a directional actuator. The system further includes a user input assembly that is configured to detect user activity related to controlling operation of the trolling motor assembly and operation of the sonar assembly. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine a direction of turn based on user activity, generate an electrical turning input signal indicating the direction of turn, and direct one of the steering actuator and the directional actuator, via the turning input signal, to rotate one of the propulsion motor and the transducer assembly, respectively, in a direction of turn based on the turning input signal.