An autonomous vessel and method for transporting a cargo from an origin to a destination utilizing water currents, a satellite location system, and a satellite communication system includes a hull for navigating a body of water. A communication module is adapted for wireless communication with local contacts and the satellite communication system. A propulsion module is adapted to propel the hull through the body of water and preferably includes one or more relatively low-power electric motors. A navigation module is adapted to steer the hull towards a next waypoint. The navigation module preferably includes a rudder control system and is connected with a location module that is itself adapted for communication with the satellite location system to find a current location of the hull on the body of water. A controller is adapted for controlling the modules, sending information, and for receiving commands and information.

An autonomous vessel and method for transporting a cargo from an origin to a destination utilizing water currents, a satellite location system, and a satellite communication system includes a hull for navigating a body of water. A communication module is adapted for wireless communication with local contacts and the satellite communication system. A propulsion module is adapted to propel the hull through the body of water and preferably includes one or more relatively low-power electric motors. A navigation module is adapted to steer the hull towards a next waypoint. The navigation module preferably includes a rudder control system and is connected with a location module that is itself adapted for communication with the satellite location system to find a current location of the hull on the body of water. A controller is adapted for controlling the modules, sending information, and for receiving commands and information.

A watercraft maneuvering control apparatus for controlling a propulsion device of a watercraft includes an obstacle sensor to detect an obstacle around the watercraft, a pattern sailing commander operated by a user to provide a command to sail the watercraft in a sailing pattern, and a controller configured or programmed to control the propulsion device. The controller is configured or programmed to function as a pattern sailing controller to control the propulsion device to sail the watercraft in the sailing pattern, an expected sailing water area computer to compute an expected sailing water area when the watercraft is sailed in the sailing pattern, and a pattern sailing intervener to suspend or cancel the pattern sailing of the watercraft when the obstacle sensor detects an obstacle interfering with the expected sailing water area.

A watercraft maneuvering control apparatus for controlling a propulsion device of a watercraft includes an obstacle sensor to detect an obstacle around the watercraft, a pattern sailing commander operated by a user to provide a command to sail the watercraft in a sailing pattern, and a controller configured or programmed to control the propulsion device. The controller is configured or programmed to function as a pattern sailing controller to control the propulsion device to sail the watercraft in the sailing pattern, an expected sailing water area computer to compute an expected sailing water area when the watercraft is sailed in the sailing pattern, and a pattern sailing intervener to suspend or cancel the pattern sailing of the watercraft when the obstacle sensor detects an obstacle interfering with the expected sailing water area.

A boat stabilizer having an upper harness for attachment to a vessel, the upper harness having an assembly control system for controlling attached wing assemblies, each wing assembly having a wing attached to the assembly control system and a wing mount attached to the wing and the assembly control system. The boat stabilizer may be further comprised of a controllable parasail comprising a parasail canopy, a plurality of parasail cords attached the parasail canopy, a parasail mount attached to the upper harness and the parasail cords, a parasail control rudder attached to each parasail cords, and yaw and pitch controllers, both of which are attached to the parasail control rudder. The assembly control system is configured to work in conjunction with the controllable parasail to provide the desired balance of vertical lift and forward propulsion to the attached vessel, while also providing directional control to the attached vessel.

A boat stabilizer having an upper harness for attachment to a vessel, the upper harness having an assembly control system for controlling attached wing assemblies, each wing assembly having a wing attached to the assembly control system and a wing mount attached to the wing and the assembly control system. The boat stabilizer may be further comprised of a controllable parasail comprising a parasail canopy, a plurality of parasail cords attached the parasail canopy, a parasail mount attached to the upper harness and the parasail cords, a parasail control rudder attached to each parasail cords, and yaw and pitch controllers, both of which are attached to the parasail control rudder. The assembly control system is configured to work in conjunction with the controllable parasail to provide the desired balance of vertical lift and forward propulsion to the attached vessel, while also providing directional control to the attached vessel.

An apparatus for artificial intelligence (AI) bathymetry is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sonic unit attached to a boat, the sonic unit configured to generate a plurality of metric data as a function of a plurality of ultrasonic pulses and a plurality of return pulses. An image processing module is configured to generate a bathymetric image as a function of the plurality of metric data, identify, as a function of the bathymetric image, an underwater landmark, and register the bathymetric image to a map location as a function of the underwater landmark. A communication module is configured to transmit the registered bathymetric image to at least a remote device. An autonomous navigation module is configured to determine a heading for the boat as a function of a path datum and command boat control to navigate the boat as a function of the heading.

An apparatus for artificial intelligence (AI) bathymetry is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sonic unit attached to a boat, the sonic unit configured to generate a plurality of metric data as a function of a plurality of ultrasonic pulses and a plurality of return pulses. An image processing module is configured to generate a bathymetric image as a function of the plurality of metric data, identify, as a function of the bathymetric image, an underwater landmark, and register the bathymetric image to a map location as a function of the underwater landmark. A communication module is configured to transmit the registered bathymetric image to at least a remote device. An autonomous navigation module is configured to determine a heading for the boat as a function of a path datum and command boat control to navigate the boat as a function of the heading.

A water sports device is provided in which a propulsion device has at least one sensor arrangement which is usable for position determination. A control unit of the water sports device is designed for generating control signals on the basis of signals from the sensor arrangement for the purpose of geofencing and/or homing. One or more controllable elements of the water sports device are activated by means of the control signals. Such elements may include a motor of the propulsion device, movable means for generating an alignment of a water jet (e.g. a wing, motor, rudder blade, a fin and/or nozzle), and/or retractable and extendable elements (a centerboard, a holding and/or hydrofoil device) which influence the floating properties of the water sports device.

A water sports device is provided in which a propulsion device has at least one sensor arrangement which is usable for position determination. A control unit of the water sports device is designed for generating control signals on the basis of signals from the sensor arrangement for the purpose of geofencing and/or homing. One or more controllable elements of the water sports device are activated by means of the control signals. Such elements may include a motor of the propulsion device, movable means for generating an alignment of a water jet (e.g. a wing, motor, rudder blade, a fin and/or nozzle), and/or retractable and extendable elements (a centerboard, a holding and/or hydrofoil device) which influence the floating properties of the water sports device.