A dynamic active control system (DACS) configured for: (1) total vessel pitch axis control by fast symmetric deployment of water engagement devices (WEDs) or controllers, coupled with engine trim adjustments; (2) total roll and heading control by differentially deploying WEDs to counter rolling motions while simultaneously adjusting engine steering position to counter the steering moment associated with WED delta position; and (3) adjustment of the engine steering angle to counter yaw moments produced by gyroscopic stabilization systems.

Provided is an estimation device that estimates a response at a position of a floating structure where a sensor detecting a structural response is not installed. The estimation device acquires a strain response spectrum at an installation position at which a strain sensor is installed on a floating structure, the strain response spectrum being calculated based on the strain sensor, a wave spectrum, and strain response functions at the installation position and at a non-installation position of the strain sensor, calculates a correction amount based on a predetermined formula expressing a relationship among the strain response spectrum, the wave spectrum, and the strain response functions, and adds the correction amount to a theoretical value of the strain response spectrum calculated from the strain response function and the wave spectrum at the non-installation position of the strain sensor to calculate the strain response spectrum at the non-installation position.

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 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.

According to one aspect, a master control module controlling multiple valve assemblies on a marine vessel may include a receiver, an input component, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver may receive positional status signals from corresponding individual control modules. Each positional status signal may be indicative of a positional status of a valve assembly corresponding to a respective individual control module. The input component may receive a command pertaining to one or more of the valve assemblies, including a desired flow characteristic and/or a desired time. The processor may generate control signals for the valve assemblies in accordance with the desired flow characteristics. The transmitter may transmit the control signals to the respective individual control modules to effectuate the desired flow characteristic accordingly.

According to one aspect, a master control module controlling multiple valve assemblies on a marine vessel may include a receiver, an input component, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver may receive positional status signals from corresponding individual control modules. Each positional status signal may be indicative of a positional status of a valve assembly corresponding to a respective individual control module. The input component may receive a command pertaining to one or more of the valve assemblies, including a desired flow characteristic and/or a desired time. The processor may generate control signals for the valve assemblies in accordance with the desired flow characteristics. The transmitter may transmit the control signals to the respective individual control modules to effectuate the desired flow characteristic accordingly.

A marine propulsion control system for use with a marine vessel includes an engine in electronic communication an engine controller, and a transmission having a gearbox and an oil pressure sensor in electronic communication with the engine controller and configured to measure a transmission oil pressure. The gearbox includes a feedback sensor configured to transmit a gear state. A propulsion device is rotatably connected to the gearbox, and a shaft fixedly attached to the propulsion device and rotatably coupled to the gearbox. The shaft includes a shaft rotation sensor configured to measure a rotational direction of the shaft. A propulsion control processor is in electronic communication with the engine controller, the shaft rotation sensor and the gearbox, and is configured to determine a current gear of the marine vessel based on the rotational direction of the shaft and one or more of the gear state and the transmission oil pressure.

A marine propulsion control system for use with a marine vessel includes an engine in electronic communication an engine controller, and a transmission having a gearbox and an oil pressure sensor in electronic communication with the engine controller and configured to measure a transmission oil pressure. The gearbox includes a feedback sensor configured to transmit a gear state. A propulsion device is rotatably connected to the gearbox, and a shaft fixedly attached to the propulsion device and rotatably coupled to the gearbox. The shaft includes a shaft rotation sensor configured to measure a rotational direction of the shaft. A propulsion control processor is in electronic communication with the engine controller, the shaft rotation sensor and the gearbox, and is configured to determine a current gear of the marine vessel based on the rotational direction of the shaft and one or more of the gear state and the transmission oil pressure.

Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).

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.