A rudder for as ship is described, comprising a rudder blade (10) which is fastened via a rudder stock (32) to the aft end (16) of the ship, where the rudder blade (10) is a rudder blade of the suspension type, comprising a first rudder blade part (12) and a second rudder blade part (14), arranged above and below each other, respectively, the rudder stock (32) is mounted and fastened to the rudder blade (10) and extends up into the aft end (16) of the ship, where the rudder stock is coupled at the upper end to a steering gear (20) arranged at the aft end (16) of the ship. An outer tube (34) is arranged about the rudder stock (32) where the outer tube (34) is fastened in the first, upper rudder blade part (12) and the aft end (16) of the ship, respectively, and that the rudder stock (32) extends through the outer tube (34) and down into the second, lower rudder blade part (14).

A method for reducing the swinging of a ship anchored or moored to a buoy, by the suitable activation of the bow thruster and the stern thruster of the ship in accordance with the signals obtained by at least one of the following sensors: a) gyroscope, b) magnetometer, c) anemometer, d) GPS, e) inertial navigation system, f) a device measuring the angle between the longitudinal axis of the ship and the vertical plane through the anchor chain of the ship, is described.

A method for reducing the swinging of a ship anchored or moored to a buoy, by the suitable activation of the bow thruster and the stern thruster of the ship in accordance with the signals obtained by at least one of the following sensors: a) gyroscope, b) magnetometer, c) anemometer, d) GPS, e) inertial navigation system, f) a device measuring the angle between the longitudinal axis of the ship and the vertical plane through the anchor chain of the ship, is described.

A jet propulsion watercraft includes a vessel body, an engine, a jet propulsion unit, a weight information obtaining processor, an engine controller, and a target rotational speed determining processor. The engine is accommodated in the vessel body. The jet propulsion unit is driven by the engine and propels the vessel body. The weight information obtaining processor obtains weight information regarding a weight of the vessel body. The engine controller controls an engine rotational speed such that a vessel velocity reaches a predetermined set velocity. The target rotational speed determining processor determines a target engine rotational speed corresponding to the set velocity in accordance with the weight information. The engine controller controls the engine rotational speed such that the vessel velocity reaches the set velocity based on the target engine rotational speed determined in accordance with the weight information.

A system for maintaining a marine vessel in a body of water at a selected position and orientation includes a global positioning system that determines a global position and heading of the vessel and a proximity sensor that determines a relative position and bearing of the vessel with respect to an object near the vessel. A controller operable in a station keeping mode is in signal communication with the GPS and the proximity sensor. The controller chooses between using global position and heading data from the GPS and relative position and bearing data from the proximity sensor to determine if the vessel has moved from the selected position and orientation. The controller calculates thrust commands required to return the vessel to the selected position and orientation and outputs the thrust commands to a marine propulsion system, which uses the thrust commands to reposition the vessel.

A system for maintaining a marine vessel in a body of water at a selected position and orientation includes a global positioning system that determines a global position and heading of the vessel and a proximity sensor that determines a relative position and bearing of the vessel with respect to an object near the vessel. A controller operable in a station keeping mode is in signal communication with the GPS and the proximity sensor. The controller chooses between using global position and heading data from the GPS and relative position and bearing data from the proximity sensor to determine if the vessel has moved from the selected position and orientation. The controller calculates thrust commands required to return the vessel to the selected position and orientation and outputs the thrust commands to a marine propulsion system, which uses the thrust commands to reposition the vessel.

A method for controlling movement of a marine vessel includes controlling a propulsion device to automatically maneuver the vessel along a track including a series of waypoints, and determining whether the next waypoint is a stopover waypoint at or near which the vessel is to electronically anchor. If the next waypoint is the stopover waypoint, a control module calculates a distance between the vessel and the stopover waypoint. In response to the calculated distance being less than or equal to a threshold distance, the propulsion device's thrust is decreased. In response to sensing that the vessel thereafter slows to a first threshold speed, the vessel's speed is further reduced. In response to sensing that the vessel thereafter slows to a second, lower threshold speed or passes the stopover waypoint, the propulsion device is controlled to maintain the vessel at an anchor point that is at or near the stopover waypoint.

A method for controlling movement of a marine vessel includes controlling a propulsion device to automatically maneuver the vessel along a track including a series of waypoints, and determining whether the next waypoint is a stopover waypoint at or near which the vessel is to electronically anchor. If the next waypoint is the stopover waypoint, a control module calculates a distance between the vessel and the stopover waypoint. In response to the calculated distance being less than or equal to a threshold distance, the propulsion device's thrust is decreased. In response to sensing that the vessel thereafter slows to a first threshold speed, the vessel's speed is further reduced. In response to sensing that the vessel thereafter slows to a second, lower threshold speed or passes the stopover waypoint, the propulsion device is controlled to maintain the vessel at an anchor point that is at or near the stopover waypoint.

An amphibious vehicle having a frame that includes a plurality of floatable members. Mounted to the frame is one or more power sources. Also mounted to the frame and connected to the power source are a plurality of propellers with each of the plurality of propellers having a thrust vector configured to be adjusted to provide agitation and propulsion. In addition, mounted to the frame are a plurality of ground engaging devices and one or more pumps.

An amphibious vehicle having a frame that includes a plurality of floatable members. Mounted to the frame is one or more power sources. Also mounted to the frame and connected to the power source are a plurality of propellers with each of the plurality of propellers having a thrust vector configured to be adjusted to provide agitation and propulsion. In addition, mounted to the frame are a plurality of ground engaging devices and one or more pumps.