Abstract: A radar controlled automatic target illumination system for marine and other moving vessels. A radar system operably connected to the vessel produces an electronic signal corresponding to an azimuth of a target relative to, and in proximity to the vessel. An array of lights are connected to the vessel, each light being aimed outwardly in a different lighting sector, the sectors being adjacent one to another around the vessel, each of said lights, when automatically activated, illuminating one lighting sector. An electronic processor is operably connected between the radar system and the array of lights for the automatic selective activation of one or more of the lights to illuminate the target within a corresponding lighting sector which the radar system has identified.

Abstract: An anchorless boat positioning system for establishing and maintaining a boat at a selected geographic location without the use of a conventional anchor. In one embodiment, a steerable thruster is used whose thrust and steering direction are determined and controlled on the basis of position information signals received from global positioning system (GPS) satellites, relative steering angle between the boat and the thruster and boat heading indication signals from a magnetic compass. The system continuously monitors the position and heading of the boat and compares it with the stored coordinates of the selected anchoring location(s) to generate control signals for the steerable motor. Several modes of operation are disclosed and Euler transformations for offset antenna placement for error reduction are taught. Proportional, integral, and derivative control (PID) of four constants of vessel control is also provided.

Abstract: An anchorless boat positioning system for establishing and maintaining a boat at a selected geographic location without the use of a conventional anchor. In one embodiment, a steerable thruster is used whose thrust and steering direction are determined and controlled on the basis of position information signals received from global positioning system (GPS) satellites, relative steering angle between the boat and the thruster and boat heading indication signals from a magnetic compass. The system continuously monitors the position and heading of the boat and compares it with the stored coordinates of the selected anchoring location(s) to generate control signals for the steerable motor. Several modes of operation are disclosed and Euler transformations for offset antenna placement for error reduction are taught. Proportional, integral, and derivative control (PID) of four constants of vessel control is also provided.

Abstract: An anchorless boat positioning system dynamically and automatically maintains a boat at a selected anchoring location within water without the use of a conventional anchor by using a steerable thruster whose thrust and steering direction are determined on the basis of position information signals received from global positioning system (GPS) satellites and heading indication signals from a magnetic compass. The anchorless positioning system continuously monitors the position and heading of the boat and compares it with the stored coordinates of the selected anchoring location to generate control signals for the steerable motor.