A hull control device is provided, which includes an error distance calculating module, an approaching speed calculating module and a command value setting module. The error distance calculating module calculates an error distance between a target position of a fixed-point hold and a ship position. The approaching speed calculating module calculates an approaching speed of a ship to the target position. The command value setting module sets a throttle command value according to a combination of the error distance and the approaching speed.

The position of a watercraft is detected by monitoring GPS position data, and the speed of the watercraft is reduced to a selected limit upon detecting that the watercraft has traveled outside of a selected boundary and is maintained until it is detected that the watercraft has been back within the boundary for a selected time interval, thereby avoiding up and down jerking motion of the watercraft which can occur when only a single location test is used to confirm that the watercraft is back in bounds. An RF transceiver and related control apparatus is employed for detecting other watercraft approaching too closely to the watercraft, and a display is provided for displaying various status and warning indications.

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 trolling motor is provided including a position sensor configured to determine the direction of the trolling motor housing, a digital display, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the processor to receive position data from the position sensor, generate display data based on the position data, and cause the display data to be displayed on the digital display. The digital display is integrated with the main housing and configured to display the display data so as to provide an indication of the current direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft.

A system and method for tactically positioning a sailing boat are defined which calculate a plurality of predicted locations the sailing boat may be situated in order to arrive at a destination at a target time by following a predetermined route. The plurality of predicted locations define a zone which is visually represented with the current location of the sailing boat. to accurate guidance of the sailing boat.

A marine vessel control system comprises a propulsion unit and a steering actuator for steering the propulsion unit. There is a shift actuator for shifting gears in the propulsion unit and a throttle actuator for increasing or decreasing throttle to the propulsion unit. There is an input device for providing user inputted steering commands to the steering actuator and for providing user inputted shift and throttle commands to the shift actuator and the throttle actuator. There is a sensor for detecting a global position and a heading direction of the marine vessel. A controller receives position and heading values of the marine vessel from the sensor. The controller compares the received position value to a pre-programmed position value to determine a position error difference. The controller also compares the received heading value to a pre-programmed heading value to determine a heading error difference.

Aspects of the invention may be related to a computer system and a computerized method of controlling a marine vessel. Embodiments may include: receiving, by a controller, a position of the marine vessel from a positioning system; receiving, by the controller, geographical data, from at least one database, the geographical data may include at least a map of seabed depths; receiving, by the controller, a heading direction and speed of the marine vessel; calculating, by the controller, a safety zone ahead of the marine vessel based on the position, the heading direction and the speed of the marine vessel; identifying a location of a critical seabed depth inside the safety zone based on the received, the geographical data; and changing, by the controller, a state of a propelling unit of the marine vessel when a critical seabed depth was identified inside the safety zone.

A ship body control device is provided, which includes a sensor, a propelling force controller, and an autopilot controller. The sensor measures a speed of a ship. The propelling force controller controls a propelling force of the ship. The autopilot controller outputs an instruction to reduce the propelling force to the propelling force controller, when a condition of canceling an automatic cruise in which the speed of the ship matches with an automatic ship speed setting is satisfied.

A maritime drift control system comprising a vessel movement detection unit, for detecting an actual vessel speed and direction, and a vessel movement control unit with a drift controller for controlling operation of at least one propulsion device of a vessel. The maritime drift control system comprises a drift error generator for generating drift error signals depending on a predetermined speed limit and the actual vessel speed. The drift error generator is connected to the drift controller to transmit the drift error signals to the drift controller. The drift controller uses the drift error signals to compute and transmit propulsion command signals to the at least one propulsion device in order to reduce speed and alter the direction of the vessel to target values. The invention comprises further a maritime vessel with a corresponding maritime drift control system.

An interface unit providing an interface between a control and sensor system of an assisted vessel with thrust capabilities and a master dynamic positioning system. The master dynamic positioning system is configured to control a number of auxiliary vessels as one unit and control the thrust capabilities of the assisted vessel for assisting in maneuvering of the assisted vessel. A master dynamic positioning system comprises the interface unit above. A system for assisting in maneuvering of a vessel with thrust capabilities comprises the master dynamic positioning system controlling a number of auxiliary vessels as one unit for assisting in maneuvering of an assisted vessel. A dynamic positioning system of each of the auxiliary vessels is controlled by the master dynamic positioning system. The master dynamic positioning system controls the thrust capabilities of the assisted vessel. The master dynamic positioning system may be provided on-board a tugboat.