The invention relates to a cover device for at least sectional closing of an underwater opening in a hull of a watercraft, in particular an opening of a transverse channel of a thruster. According to the invention the cover device includes at least one variable-volume hollow chamber lip including at least one buoyancy body, and the at least one hollow chamber lip is shiftable into an expansion state or into a shrinkage state by supplying or removing a fluid, in particular air. As a result of the variable-volume or inflatable cover device a more reliable and simultaneously lower-maintenance operation of the cover device is given. In addition, the invention has a thruster, in particular a bow or stern-thruster, as subject matter.

The present invention provides a remote-controllable underwater device for manoeuvring a vessel. The device comprising at least one housing, a connection unit provided on the housing for rigidly attaching below the water to the vessel to be manoeuvred, at least one propeller mounted on the housing for moving the device and the vessel attached to the connection unit, an antenna for communication with the device from a remote control unit, at least one sensor for path tracking and positioning of the device and the vessel, and a power source for providing power to the connection unit, the propeller, the antenna, and the sensor.

A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.

A foot pedal device for controlling an electric steer trolling motor and navigating a marine vessel. The foot pedal allows proportional control of the vessel such that the operator's foot movement on the foot pedal is proportional to an action by the trolling motor. The foot pedal includes a platform that pivots upon a base, an angular position monitor, and a controller; the controller is communicatively coupled to the angular position monitor and is configured to receive an angular measurement from the magnetic angle sensor and generate at least one control signal for a trolling motor of a marine vessel at least partially based on the angular measurement from the sensor.

A control system for navigating a marine vessel employs at least a first motor and a second motor. The control system is configured to communicate with the first and second motors. The control system is configured to receive a position measurement and an orientation measurement for the marine vessel. The control system is further configured to generate at least one control signal for the first motor based on the position measurement and at least one control signal for the second motor based on the orientation measurement.

A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.

A system for manoeuvring a boat with fenders is described. A plurality of water nozzles is provided on the boat. Further, a plurality of pumps is operated by an artificial intelligence module and/or control unit and powered by the power source 130 of the boat. The plurality of pumps is primed continuously to reduce response time to control the plurality of pumps and each of the plurality of pumps is connected to one water nozzle. A plurality of sensors is configured to monitor the state of motion of the boat. Further, an artificial intelligence module is in communication with the plurality of water nozzles, the plurality of pumps, and the plurality of sensors. The artificial intelligence module is configured to keep the boat in a stationary standstill or on a chosen course of motion.

The invention provides a system for maneuvering a boat. A plurality of water nozzles is provided on the boat. Further, a plurality of pumps is is operated by an artificial intelligence module and/or control unit and powered by the power source of the boat. The plurality of pumps is primed continuously to reduce response time to control the plurality of pumps and each of the plurality of pumps is connected to one water nozzle. A plurality of sensors is configured to monitor the state of motion of the boat. Further, an artificial intelligence module is in communication with the plurality of water nozzles, the plurality of pumps, and the plurality of sensors. The artificial intelligence module is configured to keep the boat in a stationary standstill or on a chosen course of motion.

A ship including an engine, a jet propulsion device, a ship controller, and a ship position detection unit, in which the jet propulsion device includes a nozzle that ejects a jet stream generated by the driving force output from the engine, and a bucket that changes a direction of the jet stream, the position of the bucket includes at least a forward-side intermediate position between the forward position and the neutral position, the ship controller has a ship fixed point holding mode in which feedback control of the engine and the jet propulsion device is performed based on a deviation between a preset target ship position and the actual ship position, and both control of the position of the bucket including the forward-side intermediate position and control of a rotational speed of the engine are performed in the ship fixed point holding mode.

A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.