A control method for a watercraft is used for the watercraft including a device that requires authentication of identification information for activation, and has reading processing, authentication processing, and activation permission processing. In the reading processing, the identification information is read by each of plural reading sections, each of which is mounted on a hull of the watercraft and can read the identification information. In the authentication processing, the identification information, which is read in the reading processing, is authenticated by referring to authentication information. In the activation permission processing, in the case where the identification information that is read by any one of the plural reading sections is successfully authenticated, the device is brought into an activatable state.

Control system for controlling operations of a marine vessel having a first engine and a second engine is provided. Parity switches are operable to start/stop first and second engine. Each parity switch is actuated for first time to activate remote start/stop control of respective engine. Each switch is actuated for second time to switch respective engine to ON or OFF state. Operator console is communicatively coupled to parity switches to receive first and/or second user inputs. Propulsion control unit is communicably coupled to operator console via network communication channel, first engine control unit of first engine and second engine control unit of second engine. Propulsion control unit receives operational parameters for engines from engine control units and receives first and second user inputs from operator console. Propulsion control unit transmits engine operating signals for operating respective engines in response to first and/or second user input and based on operational parameters.

The present disclosure provides an intelligent port control system and related systems and apparatuses, capable of achieving fully automated ship loading and unloading. The intelligent port control system includes: a scheduling center system configured to determine a ship loading plan based on ship information, container information, and shore crane apparatus information, and generate a ship berthing task, a ship loading task, and a container distribution task based on the ship loading plan, for transmitting to a ship control system of a target ship, a shore crane control system of a target shore crane apparatus, and a warehouse management system of a warehouse center, respectively; the ship control system configured to control the target ship to move to an operation area corresponding to the target shore crane apparatus; the shore crane control system configured to control the target shore crane apparatus to load a container on a transportation vehicle onto the target ship; the warehouse management system configured to assign a warehouse hoisting apparatus to hoist a target container in the container distribution task onto the transportation vehicle; and a vehicle control system configured to control the transportation vehicle to move to a container loading location for loading the container, and to control the transportation vehicle to move to a container unloading location for unloading the container.

A watercraft maneuvering system includes watercraft maneuvering stations to steer and adjust a propulsive force of a watercraft and including a main station including a steering wheel to steer the watercraft and an acceleration lever to adjust the propulsive force, and a substation spaced apart from the main station and including a joystick to both steer the watercraft and adjust the propulsive force. By operating a joystick button provided in the substation, an operative station may be switched from the main station to the substation. At the same time, a control mode may be switched to a joystick mode.

Example steering control systems for multiple devices are provided herein. A system includes a trolling motor assembly having a propulsion motor and a steering actuator and a sonar assembly comprising a transducer assembly and a directional actuator. The system further includes a user input assembly that is configured to detect user activity related to controlling operation of the trolling motor assembly and operation of the sonar assembly. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine a direction of turn based on user activity, generate an electrical turning input signal indicating the direction of turn, and direct one of the steering actuator and the directional actuator, via the turning input signal, to rotate one of the propulsion motor and the transducer assembly, respectively, in a direction of turn based on the turning input signal.

A system for guiding a first watercraft remotely has a rudder proximate the stern of the first watercraft, having a rudder shaft extending upward from a deck area at the stern, a servo device having an output servo horn coupled to the rudder shaft by a linkage, adapted to turn the rudder shaft in concert with the servo horn, a radio receiver/controller adapted for receiving radio signals for guiding the first watercraft, the radio receiver/controller coupled to the servo device, and a radio transmitter having an input wheel for providing steering commands. The system is characterized in that the input wheel of the radio transmitter is manipulated by a user remote from the watercraft, the radio signals for guiding the first watercraft are transmitted from the radio transmitter to the radio receiver/controller on the first watercraft, and the radio receiver/controller provides operating signals to the servo device to rotate the servo horn either clockwise or counterclockwise, guiding the first watercraft.

A water sports device is provided in which a propulsion device has at least one sensor arrangement which is usable for position determination. A control unit of the water sports device is designed for generating control signals on the basis of signals from the sensor arrangement for the purpose of geofencing and/or homing. One or more controllable elements of the water sports device are activated by means of the control signals. Such elements may include a motor of the propulsion device, movable means for generating an alignment of a water jet (e.g. a wing, motor, rudder blade, a fin and/or nozzle), and/or retractable and extendable elements (a centerboard, a holding and/or hydrofoil device) which influence the floating properties of the water sports device.

Provided herein is a taxiing system for steering an amphibious aircraft on a body of water. The system has a pair of thrusters that are deployed after landing on the water to taxi the amphibious the aircraft prior to docking and to unloading and are retractable to taxi the amphibious aircraft prior to take-off. Also provided is a docking device to dock the amphibious aircraft to a mooring buoy. In addition provided herein is a system for maneuvering an amphibious aircraft during taxiing and docking on water that integrates the taxiing system with the docking device.

A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.

An unmanned vehicle capable of tunneling into soft materials, such as sand, comprises a hollow, bullet-shaped forward outer body with a first drive screw thread integrated into its exterior, a hollow cylindrical rear outer body with a second drive screw thread integrated into its exterior but threaded in the opposed direction of the first drive screw thread, and an inner body that is rotatably coupled to the inside of the forward and rear outer bodies via mechanical gears, and including directional control fins mounted on a housing at the rear end of the inner body.