The invention relates to a tug for maneuvering a vessel, comprising at least one proximity sensor in a contact area, the proximity sensor being configured to detect a distance between the contact area and the vessel, and a tug controller unit controlling an approach of the tug towards the vessel based on the detected distance between the contact area and the vessel.

A tugboat having azimuthal propelling units, comprising at least two juxtaposed azimuthal propelling units, characterized in that each of the juxtaposed propelling units has a main shaft with a main axis extending at an angle relative to at least one of a main plane of symmetry or a transverse center plane of the tugboat.

An aquatic vessel basically includes a floating body, a submersible propulsion unit and a communication device. The floating body has an above water level surface and a below water level surface. The submersible propulsion unit is disposed on the floating body beneath the below water level surface of the floating body. The communication device is disposed on the floating body above the above water level surface of the floating body. The communication device is wired to the submersible propulsion unit, and is configured to wirelessly communicate with a control module.

An integrated tow system may include one or more unmanned towboat modules that may be used to improve maneuvering of tows on an inland waterway, such as a river. To reduce environmental stresses on operators, a command module that includes control and communications equipment for controlling operation of the unmanned towboat modules may provide living quarters for the operators, but not include a propulsion system for maneuvering a tow. The control and communication equipment may monitor for rotation commands by an operator that exceed rotational capabilities of the unmanned towboat modules, and provide for non-linear controls that include changing position of a rotational point that is centrally located longitudinally along the tow so as to provide for 1:1 rotational control of the tow by a tow drive system (e.g., bow and stern unmanned towboat modules). River tracking and river parking features may be supported by the control and communications equipment.

The present invention provides a remote-controllable underwater device for manoeuvring a vessel. The device comprising at least one housing, a connection unit provided on the housing for rigidly attaching below the water to the vessel to be manoeuvred, at least one propeller mounted on the housing for moving the device and the vessel attached to the connection unit, an antenna for communication with the device from a remote control unit, at least one sensor for path tracking and positioning of the device and the vessel, and a power source for providing power to the connection unit, the propeller, the antenna, and the sensor.

The watersports system comprises a floating, non-motorized watersports assembly (12) provided with an interface (30) for removable sealed assembly to a marine engine. The first floating watersports assembly includes an assembly interface (39) for assembly with a second floating watersports assembly. The watersports system comprises a second floating watersports assembly (14), comprising an assembly interface (37) for assembly with the first floating watersports assembly. Assembling the first floating watersports assembly and the second floating watersports assembly forms a second, floating craft (1) that can be sailed, propelled by an engine (2).

A multihull module is provided. The multihull module includes multiple power floats, an actuation interface controller, and a vehicle controller. The power floats are disposed on a vehicle. The actuation interface controller is coupled to the power floats, and is configured to control the power floats. The vehicle controller is coupled to the actuation interface controller, and is configured to provide a control signal to the actuation interface controller. The actuation interface controller controls the power floats according to the control signal.

The present invention relates to a pontoon boats that may couple and be driven by a PWC. The invention further relates to pontoon boats having a portion that moves into an open water recess at the rear of the pontoon boat. The invention further relates to an engagement assembly for securing a PWC to such a pontoon boat.

The present invention relates to a pontoon boats that may couple and be driven by a PWC. The invention further relates to pontoon boats having a portion that moves into an open water recess at the rear of the pontoon boat. The invention further relates to an engagement assembly for securing a PWC to such a pontoon boat.

A ballast and de-ballast system and method for an articulated tug barge (ATB) or integrated tug barge (ITB) are described herein. The system includes a tug ballast tank located on the tug, the tug ballast tank being configured to hold ballast water; and a barge trim tank located on the barge, the barge trim tank being configured to hold ballast water. The system further includes at least one umbilical line connecting the tug ballast tank to the barge trim tank. The system is configured to transfer ballast water between the tug ballast tank and the barge trim tank via the at least one umbilical line.