A method of automatically moving, by an automatic location placement system, a marine vessel includes receiving, by a central processing unit, from a vision ranging photography system, at least one optical feed including data providing a mapping of an environment surrounding a marine vessel. The method includes displaying, by the central processing unit, on a touch screen monitor, the mapping of the environment. The method includes receiving, by the central processing unit, from the touch screen monitor, target location data. The method includes directing, by the central processing unit, at least one element of a propulsion system of the marine vessel, to move the marine vessel to the targeted location, using the mapping.

A method of automatically moving, by an automatic location placement system, a marine vessel includes receiving, by a central processing unit, from a vision ranging photography system, at least one optical feed including data providing a mapping of an environment surrounding a marine vessel. The method includes displaying, by the central processing unit, on a touch screen monitor, the mapping of the environment. The method includes receiving, by the central processing unit, from the touch screen monitor, target location data. The method includes directing, by the central processing unit, at least one element of a propulsion system of the marine vessel, to move the marine vessel to the targeted location, using the mapping.

A method is disclosed for controlling heading of a marine vessel having a steerable component coupled thereto, the steerable component being rotatable to affect a direction of movement of the vessel. The method is carried out by a control module and includes accepting a command to initiate a control mode in which the vessel's heading is to be maintained at a desired heading. The method includes receiving a current heading of the vessel and determining a heading error between the current heading and the desired heading. The method also includes determining if the vessel is on-plane or off-plane. In response to the vessel being off-plane, the method includes controlling the steerable component to rotate by at least a predetermined correction amount away from a starting position in a direction that will cause the vessel to rotate to reduce the heading error, and subsequently to rotate back toward the starting position.

A method is disclosed for controlling heading of a marine vessel having a steerable component coupled thereto, the steerable component being rotatable to affect a direction of movement of the vessel. The method is carried out by a control module and includes accepting a command to initiate a control mode in which the vessel's heading is to be maintained at a desired heading. The method includes receiving a current heading of the vessel and determining a heading error between the current heading and the desired heading. The method also includes determining if the vessel is on-plane or off-plane. In response to the vessel being off-plane, the method includes controlling the steerable component to rotate by at least a predetermined correction amount away from a starting position in a direction that will cause the vessel to rotate to reduce the heading error, and subsequently to rotate back toward the starting position.

An automatic watercraft maneuvering system includes a watercraft and a communication device.

An automatic watercraft maneuvering system includes a watercraft and a communication device.

Various aspects provide for a propulsion system (200) for a ship (100) comprising at least first and second thrusters (205, 206) and first and second directors (220, 720), wherein a computing platform (300) is coupled to the thrusters and directors being configured to receive desired longitudinal and lateral headings (750, 760) and determine a configuration of the propulsion system that is expected to propel the ship in the desired longitudinal and lateral headings.

Various aspects provide for a propulsion system (200) for a ship (100) comprising at least first and second thrusters (205, 206) and first and second directors (220, 720), wherein a computing platform (300) is coupled to the thrusters and directors being configured to receive desired longitudinal and lateral headings (750, 760) and determine a configuration of the propulsion system that is expected to propel the ship in the desired longitudinal and lateral headings.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for water non-water segmentation of navigational imagery to assist in the autonomous navigation of mobile structures. An imagery based navigation system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an imaging module coupled to a mobile structure and/or configured to capture images of an environment about the mobile structure. The logic device may be configured to receive at least one image from the imaging module; determine a water/non-water segmented image based, at least in part, on the received at least one image, and generate a range chart corresponding to the environment about the mobile structure based, at least in part, on the determined water/non-water segmented image and/or the received at least one image.

A watercraft, associated motor pod, and associated methods are provided. The motor pod is operable to maintain an orientation of the watercraft relative to a reference datum while the watercraft is moving or stationary.