A deep-sea low-cost long-endurance collaborative navigation and positioning system. A shore-based monitoring center transmits a route planning solution to a wave glider. The wave glider follows an underwater vehicle to travel and feeds back state information of the wave glider and state information of the underwater vehicle to the shore-based monitoring center in real time. The shore-based monitoring center adjusts the route planning solution according to the state information in real time. The wave glider and the underwater vehicle are respectively equipped with an underwater acoustic communication machine. The wave glider obtains self location and time information through a satellite and transmits the location and time information to the underwater vehicle in an underwater acoustic communication manner, then the underwater vehicle calculates a horizontal distance between the underwater vehicle and the wave glider to assist a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor of the underwater vehicle in navigation and positioning.

A watercraft mounting system that embodies a moving mounting platform and a protective hull cavity which provides protection, prevents damage and improves storage of data collection systems.

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.

A deep-sea low-cost long-endurance collaborative navigation and positioning system. A shore-based monitoring center transmits a route planning solution to a wave glider. The wave glider follows an underwater vehicle to travel and feeds back state information of the wave glider and state information of the underwater vehicle to the shore-based monitoring center in real time. The shore-based monitoring center adjusts the route planning solution according to the state information in real time. The wave glider and the underwater vehicle are respectively equipped with an underwater acoustic communication machine. The wave glider obtains self location and time information through a satellite and transmits the location and time information to the underwater vehicle in an underwater acoustic communication manner, then the underwater vehicle calculates a horizontal distance between the underwater vehicle and the wave glider to assist a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor of the underwater vehicle in navigation and positioning.

A downshaft assembly for supporting a motor assembly of a watercraft and for enclosing a cable of a transducer assembly fixed to the motor assembly. The downshaft assembly includes a base having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a surface defining a hole extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface. The downshaft assembly also includes a nut and a grommet having a tapered portion at least partially disposed in the hole. The grommet is configured to receive the cable therethrough and the nut is positioned against the grommet and removably secured to the base, with the positioning of the secured nut compressing at least part of the tapered portion of the grommet against the surface defining the hole.

A downshaft assembly for supporting a motor assembly of a watercraft and for enclosing a cable of a transducer assembly fixed to the motor assembly. The downshaft assembly includes a base having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a surface defining a hole extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface. The downshaft assembly also includes a nut and a grommet having a tapered portion at least partially disposed in the hole. The grommet is configured to receive the cable therethrough and the nut is positioned against the grommet and removably secured to the base, with the positioning of the secured nut compressing at least part of the tapered portion of the grommet against the surface defining the hole.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide perimeter ranging for navigation of mobile structures. A navigation control system includes a logic device, a perimeter ranging system, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other elements of a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive perimeter sensor data from ultrasonic perimeter ranging sensor assemblies of the perimeter ranging system and generate an obstruction map based on the received perimeter sensor data. The logic device determines a range to and/or a relative velocity of a navigation hazard based on the received perimeter sensor data. The logic device determines navigation control signals based on the range and/or relative velocity of the navigation hazard. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

A multi-anchor depth control system for a boat or other watercraft having a line for securing anchors to the boat, at least two anchors attached at or near opposing ends of the line, a depth finder, and a controller configured to automatically adjust the amount of line released from the boat to maintain the anchors on the floor of the body of water in which the boat is floating, based upon information obtained from the depth finder.

A watercraft mounting system that embodies a moving mounting platform and a protective hull cavity which provides protection, prevents damage and improves storage of data collection systems.

A multi-anchor depth control system for a boat or other watercraft having a line for securing anchors to the boat, at least two anchors attached at or near opposing ends of the line, a depth finder, and a controller configured to automatically adjust the amount of line released from the boat to maintain the anchors on the floor of the body of water in which the boat is floating, based upon information obtained from the depth finder.