A method for controlling a towing train including a ship and at least one tug acting on the ship, including the steps of: providing a data model, which includes fixed data of the ship and of the at least one tug as well as variable environmental data; determining the current course, the thrust vector, and the inertial force of the ship and specifying a desired travel direction of the ship with subsequent calculation of the correction force vector and correction torque required to achieve the desired travel direction; calculating the required positions, orientations, and drive settings of the at least one acting tug using an algorithm that accesses the data model and generating control commands for the at least one tug such that the sum of all the force vectors and torques of the at least one acting tug corresponds to the required correction force vector and correction torque; transmitting the generated control commands to at least one acting tug and monitoring the completion of the control commands; and conducting an evaluation of the produced correction force vector and correction torque after completion of the control commands and generating and storing correction values in the data model when deviations are detected between the produced correction force vector and the required correction force vector and/or between the produced correction torque and the required correction torque and then repeating certain steps.

This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.

This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.

A self-righting sailing vessel is described. The self-righting sailing vessel may determine the occurrence of several predetermined events, such as the self-righting sailing vessel capsizing, present or imminent inclement weather, and/or a present or imminent vessel or large marine animal. Upon detection of one of these events, the self-righting sailing vessel causes at least it's hull to become partially or completely submerged beneath the water. The self-righting sailing vessel is configured such that its rig is more buoyant than the rest of the vessel when the vessel is completely submerged beneath the water, causing the vessel to move towards an upright position while underwater. When the vessel is pointing towards an upright position, the vessel may begin ascending until it surfaces and is ready to continue sailing on top of the water.

A self-righting sailing vessel is described. The self-righting sailing vessel may determine the occurrence of several predetermined events, such as the self-righting sailing vessel capsizing, present or imminent inclement weather, and/or a present or imminent vessel or large marine animal. Upon detection of one of these events, the self-righting sailing vessel causes at least it's hull to become partially or completely submerged beneath the water. The self-righting sailing vessel is configured such that its rig is more buoyant than the rest of the vessel when the vessel is completely submerged beneath the water, causing the vessel to move towards an upright position while underwater. When the vessel is pointing towards an upright position, the vessel may begin ascending until it surfaces and is ready to continue sailing on top of the water.

An autonomous navigation type marine buoy includes: a buoy body consisting of a floating body; an internal sensor; a detection unit that receives a GPS signal and information of the internal sensor; an on-water exploration unit that explores a state on a sea; an underwater exploration unit that explores a state under the sea; a determination unit that creates a navigation plan for the buoy body; a propulsion unit that propels the buoy body; a navigation control unit that performs drive control of the propulsion unit so that the buoy body navigates according to the navigation plan; a power generation unit; a power storage unit; a communication unit that communicates with an outside; an emergency signal unit that receives a distress signal and specifies a transmission position of the distress signal; and an evacuation room that accommodates a victim, in which the autonomous navigation type marine buoy has an autonomous navigation mode of performing autonomous navigation to a set position on the sea, a home position mode of autonomously holding a home position at the set position on the sea, and a rescue mode of performing autonomous navigation to the transmission position of the distress signal on the sea when the distress signal is received.

An autonomous navigation type marine buoy includes: a buoy body consisting of a floating body; an internal sensor; a detection unit that receives a GPS signal and information of the internal sensor; an on-water exploration unit that explores a state on a sea; an underwater exploration unit that explores a state under the sea; a determination unit that creates a navigation plan for the buoy body; a propulsion unit that propels the buoy body; a navigation control unit that performs drive control of the propulsion unit so that the buoy body navigates according to the navigation plan; a power generation unit; a power storage unit; a communication unit that communicates with an outside; an emergency signal unit that receives a distress signal and specifies a transmission position of the distress signal; and an evacuation room that accommodates a victim, in which the autonomous navigation type marine buoy has an autonomous navigation mode of performing autonomous navigation to a set position on the sea, a home position mode of autonomously holding a home position at the set position on the sea, and a rescue mode of performing autonomous navigation to the transmission position of the distress signal on the sea when the distress signal is received.

Provided is a mobile object including: a mobile object information transmitting unit configured to transmit, to another mobile object by optical wireless communication by a first optical wireless communication unit, first mobile object information including first inertial measurement information and first body control information; a mobile object information receiving unit configured to receive, from the another mobile object by optical wireless communication by the first optical wireless communication unit, second mobile object information including second inertial measurement information and second body control information; and an optical axis direction control unit configured to control a direction of an optical axis of the first optical wireless communication unit on a basis of the first mobile object information and the second mobile object information.

Provided is a mobile object including: a mobile object information transmitting unit configured to transmit, to another mobile object by optical wireless communication by a first optical wireless communication unit, first mobile object information including first inertial measurement information and first body control information; a mobile object information receiving unit configured to receive, from the another mobile object by optical wireless communication by the first optical wireless communication unit, second mobile object information including second inertial measurement information and second body control information; and an optical axis direction control unit configured to control a direction of an optical axis of the first optical wireless communication unit on a basis of the first mobile object information and the second mobile object information.

A method and a system for determining a safe under keel clearance of an ultra-large ship are provided. The method comprises: acquiring operation parameter values of the ship; obtaining fluid pressure according to the values; obtaining a squat force and a trim moment of the ship according to the pressure; establishing a mirror image model based on speed potential to establish a squat clearance calculation model for the ship; determining a half-wave rising height with above calculation model; obtaining draught and trim changes according to the squat force and the trim moment, to determine a maximum squat clearance of the hull; determining the safe under keel clearance; and controlling the squat clearance of the ship according to the safe under keel clearance of the ship, to avoid navigation dangers, and improve the loading rate.