MARINE VESSEL LOCATION AWARENESS WARNING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a marine vessel location awareness device and method of using the device. The marine vessel location awareness device can include electronic components such as a sensor system, a global positioning system (GPS), a tidal gauge device, an alert system, and a microcontroller. The draft sensor can be configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel. The GPS can be configured to measure the position of the marine vessel. The tidal gauge device can be configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel is traveling relative to a vertical datum. The alert system can be configured to alert the marine vessel to enter an active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition, when the alert system is in the active state, an alert is activated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/310,785 filed on Feb. 16, 2022. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present technology relates to dredging vessels, and more particularly to location awareness warning devices.

Introduction

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Floating marine construction vessels operate in waters where the available water depth may change during the course of a project; e.g., a dredging project where the water depth increases. In certain circumstances, deepening of the seafloor may take place in previously undredged relatively shallow areas where available water depths do not allow for the safe operation of floating equipment. Given the nature of work on the water surface, it can be difficult to continuously track and know the location of any localized shallow area on which equipment may get damaged. These localized shallow areas may either be in the vicinity of the floating equipment or somewhere along a haulage or access route which is frequently travelled on by project assets.

In addition, deep draft marine construction vessels may need to enter areas where the available water depth is not sufficient to allow full utilization. For example, the vessels may “ground out” if they are heavily loaded (e.g., for scows) or if they enter areas where the available water depth is not enough for the required vessel draft (e.g., large dredges).

The current method of understanding localized shallow or troublesome areas on marine construction projects relies on local knowledge, situational awareness, and constant checking of equipment location relative to existing data, such as nautical charts. These current methods are unreliable which can lead to unexpected grounding out and collisions thereby causing damage to the vessel and project downtime, which is costly.

There is a continued need for an automated real time system to monitor and detect the depth of the surrounding waterway and troublesome areas that is not dependent on a vessels crew or project staff “remembering” where troublesome areas are located. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to for an automated system that alerts and warns the vessel crew when troublesome areas are detected.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, an automated system that alerts and warns the vessel crew when troublesome areas are detected, has surprisingly been discovered.

The present technology includes articles of manufacture, systems, and processes that relate to dredging vessels, and more particularly to a location awareness warning device for marine vessels.

In one embodiment, the location awareness warning device can include electronic components such as a sensor system, a global positioning system (GPS), a tidal gauge device, an alert system, and a microcontroller. The draft sensor can be configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel. The GPS can be configured to measure the position of the marine vessel. The tidal gauge device can be configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel is traveling relative to a vertical datum. The alert system can be configured to alert the marine vessel to enter an active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition, when the alert system is in the active state, an alert is activated.

The present disclosure also provides a method for using a location awareness warning device for a marine vessel. The location awareness device of the present disclosure can be provided. Draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data can be collected and input into the processor of the location awareness warning device. The draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data can be compared to hydrographic survey data and calibrated to account for allowances in tidal conditions. A warning can be issued by the location awareness warning device when the device detects that the vessel is moving toward an unsafe area.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a marine vessel having a location awareness warning device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of electronic components of the location awareness warning device; and

FIGS. 3A-3B are flow diagrams of a method for using a location awareness warning device for a marine vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present disclosure provides a location awareness warning device 100 for a marine vessel 101, shown generally in FIGS. 1-2, and a method 200 for using a location awareness warning device for a fixed draft marine vessel 101, shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. Advantageously, the location awareness warning device 100 can be an automated system that alerts and warns the vessel crew when troublesome areas are in the path of the vessel. Desirably, this warning can militate against damage occurring to the vessel 101 resulting in the need for repairs and project downtime.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the location awareness warning device 100 for the marine vessel 101 can be configured to receive measurements of various parameters to provide real-time navigational information, and real-time water conditions at and/or near a location of the vessel 101 and/or along a projected travel path of the vessel 101. The location awareness warning device 100 can be configured to receive and process the various parameters, in real-time, and transmit a warning via an alert system to alert crew members if/when the vessel 101 is in unsafe water territory and/or approaching unsafe water conditions that can cause damage to the vessel 101 or injury to crew members. The various parameters can include hydrographic survey data, draft measurements, geolocation and time information, and/or water level, which is described in greater detail below.

With reference to FIG. 2, the location awareness warning device 100 can include electronic components 102 such as a sensor system 104, a global positioning system (GPS) 106, a tidal gauge device 108, an alert system 110, and a microcontroller 112. The sensor system 104 can include a draft sensor 114 that can be configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel 101. The GPS 106 can be configured to measure a position as well as a track of the marine vessel 101. The tidal gauge device 108 can be configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel 101 is traveling relative to a vertical datum. The alert system 110 can be configured to alert the marine vessel 101 to enter an active state when a water condition transmitted to the alert system 110 is an unsafe water condition. As such, when the alert system 110 is in the active state, an alert is activated.

The sensor system 104 can include draft sensors 114, such as pressure sensors, and a plurality of draft sensors 114 disposed at the bow 103 and stern 105 of the vessel 101, as per the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2. The draft sensors 114 can be configured to detect, in real time, the vertical distance between the waterline and a bottom of the hull of the vessel 101 at various measuring points (e.g., location of draft sensors 114) to allow the location awareness warning device 100 to determine the maximum depth of various parts of the vessel 101 and minimum depth of water the vessel 101 can safely navigate. In one example, the sensor system 104 can further include additional draft sensors 114 disposed at various locations about the vessel 101 such as mid-ship port side and mid-ship starboard side (not shown) thereby providing four measuring points. It should be understood that a skilled artisan can scale the number and locations of the sensors as desired.

The GPS 106 can be configured to provide geolocation, tracking, and time information. As such, the GPS 106 can determine the coordinates of the vessel location in real-time thereby providing the exact position as well as a track of the vessel on a chart/map. The GPS 106 can be configured to provide visual representation of the geographic location of the vessel 101 coupled with a map of the surrounding area, target area, and/or destination location. In one example, the GPS 106 and sensor system 104 can be configured to transmit the GPS 106 information and sensor information into the microcontroller 112, which can transmit the combined information to an electronic interface 116.

The tidal gauge device 108 can be configured to measure the tide or water level relative to a geodetic benchmark or vertical datum. The tidal gauge device 108 can be located on a local pier or fixed point against which the real-time position of the tide is tracked. Data from the tidal gauge device 108 can be continuously transmitted to the location awareness warning device 100 to provide real-time tide measurements and thereby permitting the location awareness warning device 100 to monitor and detect changes in the tide that can affect the project operations and/or safety of the waterway the vessel 101 travels. The tidal gauge data can be used to provide information on the effect the tide has on floating assets involved in marine construction projects. For example, if the water level at the work site increases ten feet between low tide and high tide, the vessel 101, in turn, would be ten feet higher or further from a work site on the seafloor, which can impact the work conditions, result in damages to equipment, and/or cause injury to the crew members. Advantageously, the tidal gauge device 108 can provide the location awareness warning device 100 with the data required to trigger the alert system 110 of unsafe conditions.

The alert system 110 can include a communication means for notifying or alerting the crew members of unsafe conditions. The communication means can be any means capable of capturing the attention of the crew members. For example, the communication means can include a loud siren, a lighting system, and/or a safety shut down protocol, among others. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can choose any communication means for alerting the crew as desired. The alert system 110 can also transmit the alert to one or more local and/or remote devices, including transmissions by wired and wireless means.

The microcontroller 112 can be in communication with the sensor system 104 including the draft sensor 114, the GPS 106, the tidal gauge device 108, and the alert system 110. The microcontroller 112 can be configured to receive the draft data, the position of the marine vessel 101, and the water level from the respective component. The microcontroller 112 can be configured to compare the draft data received against at least one of the position of the marine vessel 101 and the water level to determine a water condition, the water condition including a safe water condition and an unsafe water condition. The microcontroller 112 can be further configured to generate an output signal indicative of the water condition and transmit the water condition to the alert system 110.

The microcontroller 112 can also include a processor 118, a memory 120, an input 122, and an output 124. The processor 118 can be in communication with a wireless communication protocol and the draft sensor 114, and can be capable of processing, receiving, and transmitting data or instructions. The processor 118 can be configured to access the memory 120 having a tangible, non-transitory storage medium on which processor-executable instructions are embodied. The processor-executable instructions can include at least one program to be executed by the processor 118, such as for example, instructions to perform at least one operation or function with respect to the location awareness warning device 100. In one example, the processor 118 can be configured to determine a safe route (e.g., a safe water depth, a route without dangerous obstructions, etc.) for the vessel.

The location awareness warning device 100 can further include a power source 126. The power source 126 can provide power to the electronic components 102. In one example, the power source 126 can be a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium polymer battery. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the number of batteries or employ other suitable rechargeable batteries, such as a lead-acid battery or nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery, as desired. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art can select other suitable power sources 126 within the scope of the present disclosure. Nonlimiting examples can include a power source 126 that is internal or external to the location awareness warning device 100, such as a battery, an energy-storing microchip, and/or solar energy.

With renewed reference to FIG. 2, the location awareness warning device 100 can further include the electronic interface 116 having a display screen 128. The display screen 128 can be configured to visually present information to the user and/or offer user input options authorizing the user to interact with the various components of the location awareness warning device 100. The display screen 128 can be any display known in the art such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display. In one example, the display screen 128 can be a touchscreen configured to permit the user to enter a touch input using infrared technology or capacitive technology. A skilled artisan can select a suitable display screen 128 within the scope of the present disclosure.

The electronic interface 116 can also include input means 130 that can permit the user to enter input. As a non-limiting example, the input means 130 can be touch pads or buttons. A skilled artisan can select a suitable input means 130 within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the electronic interface 116 is not limited to having only a touchscreen for user input and that the electronic interface 116 can include, for example, a touchscreen and buttons/switches permitting the user to choose a desired user input method.

As discussed above, the location awareness warning device 100 receives various parameters to provide real-time navigational information to determine if the vessel 101 is already in or approaching unsafe water territory in order to alert the crew members. These parameters can include hydrographic survey data, draft measurements provided by the sensor system 104, geolocation and time information provided by the GPS 106, and/or water level provided by the tidal gauge device 108.

Prior to beginning a project, such as a marine construction project in a given area, a hydrographic survey can be conducted to provide measurements and descriptions of the surroundings, shoreline, tides, currents, seabed and submerged obstructions relating to water conditions in a target area or projected travel path of the vessel. The hydrographic survey can provide a three-dimensional (3D) rendering of the seafloor in the target area in XYZ data file which can be read by multiple commercially available software programs, such as DREDGEPACK® available from Xylem, Inc. (Rye Brook, N.Y.), which can receive hydrographic survey data and display the date on a screen to be viewed by an operator. The hydrographic survey data typically forms the basis for the project footprint. The hydrographic survey data can be constantly updated as construction progresses, depending on the type of project, due to changes in water level/depth in certain areas. The hydrographic survey can be stored in the memory 120 of the microcontroller 112, which can be accessed by the processor 118.

The hydrographic survey data can be transmitted to the location awareness warning device from an electronic device, such as a laptop computer or tablet. As such, the wireless communication protocol can be adapted to provide communication between the processor 118 of the location awareness warning device 100, by way of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver, and the electronic device. For example, the microcontroller can be in communication with or have included with it a transceiver such as a Bluetooth™ radio transceiver for communication to the electronic device. In a specific example, the location awareness warning device 100 communicates with an electronic device using Bluetooth Low Energy Protocol (BLE). It should be appreciated that one skilled in the art may use other wireless communication protocols, such as for example, ANT, Zigbee, LoRa and/or LoRaWAN, while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

The more heavily laden the vessel 101, the deeper it sits in the water thereby increasing the draft. Floating equipment involved with marine construction projects can have a fixed draft or a varying draft. As shown in FIG. 1, in one example, the vessel can be configured as a dump scow, which can undergo significant changes in draft, in operation. A vessel with a “fixed” draft can have a generally consistent draft that does not significantly vary over a project duration, except for minor draft variances associated with the consumption/addition of fuel or water and/or minor draft variances the vessel undergoes as part of its operation. For example, minor draft variances while a dredge is lifting a heavy bucket of material out of the water. Examples of vessels with fixed drafts can include dredges, tugboats, work skiffs, crew boats, crane barges, and supply barges, among others. A vessel with a “varying” draft can have a draft that significantly changes over a project duration. For example, dump scows are typically used to haul large quantities of dredge material to or from a project, and thus, can cause the draft to change significantly over a short period (e.g., over an hour or several hours). This means that a route that may have been safe for passage prior to the addition of dredge material may no longer be safe due to the increased draft. Examples of vessels with varying drafts can include deck barges, split hull dump scows, hopper barges, and deck barges, among others.

In operation, the location awareness warning device 100 provides various functions based on inputs from the hydrographic survey data, the sensor system, the GPS, and the tidal gauge device. For example, the location awareness warning device 100 can issue the alert before the vessel reaches an unsafe water zone thereby alerting the crew members to direct the vessel 101 in a safe direction with safe water levels. In this example, the processor118 can generate an output signal indicative of unsafe water conditions in the projected travel path of the vessel based on the draft data coupled with location information, tide data, and hydrographic survey data. The output signal generated by the processor 118 can drive the alert system 110 to sound the alarm.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the present disclosure further provides a method 200 for using a location awareness warning device 100 for a marine vessel 101. In a step 202, a location awareness warning device 100, described hereinabove, can be provided. The location awareness warning device 100 can collect draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data in a step 204. In a step 206, the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data can be input into the processor 118. The location awareness warning device 100 can utilize the draft data of the vessel along with the location information and reference the draft data and location information against the available hydrographic survey data previously provided/inputted into the program. As such, the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data can be compared to hydrographic survey data in a step 208. In a step 210, the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data can be calibrated to account for allowances in tide conditions. The water condition, such as the safe water condition or the unsafe water condition, can be determined by the location awareness warning device 100 in a step 212. An output signal indicative of the water condition can be generated in a step 214. In a step 216, the water condition can be transmitted to the alert system. In a step 218, the location awareness warning device can issue a warning where the water condition is the unsafe water condition, for example, a shallow area of water, to provide the crew members time to direct the vessel away from the unsafe water way. Advantageously, the warning issued by the location awareness warning device allows the crew members to direct the vessel away from the danger zone where grounding out is likely thereby saving costs on potential damage to the vessel and time/costs waisted on downtime.

The method 200 for using a location awareness warning device 100 for the marine vessel 101 can further include a step 220 of projecting a travel path for the marine vessel 101. For example, a vessel 101 with a varying draft can end up on a projected travel path that was once deemed safe but may no longer be safe due to an increased draft from a large amount of dredge material added to the vessel 101. The location awareness warning device 100 can issue the warning before the vessel 101 reaches the approaching unsafe zone thereby alerting the vessel crew to direct the vessel 101 in a direction with safe water depths.

It is envisaged that the real-time draft data can be simultaneously uploaded to the location awareness warning device 100, along with the hydrographic survey data, location/position information and tidal gauge data, to determine draft changes in real-time and trigger the alert system when the vessel 101 enters or is approaching a danger zone. Furthermore, if the vessel draft changes while on a haul route, the location awareness warning device 100 can detect if the vessel 101 is likely to ground out at the new draft measurement.

Advantageously, the location awareness warning device 100 can provide real-time navigational information based on the hydrographic survey data, real-time draft data, tide data, and GPS data and warn the crew members via the alert system of unsafe water conditions to prevent damage to the vessel 101, for example, damage caused by bottoming out or a collision with unforeseen/sunken obstructions not readily visible, such as large tree branches or sunken objects. Furthermore, the warning provided by the alert system 110 reduces possible injury to the crew members by preventing a sudden stop caused by bottoming out or preparing the crew members for a possible collision.

In certain embodiments, the location awareness warning device 100 can be communicatively coupled to one or more remote platforms. The communicative coupling can include communicative coupling through a networked environment. The networked environment can be a radio access network, such as LTE or 5G, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or wireless LAN (WLAN), for example. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which one or more computing platforms and remote platforms can be operatively linked via some other communication coupling. The one or more computing platforms can be configured to communicate with the networked environment via wireless or wired connections. In addition, in an embodiment, the one or more computing platforms can be configured to communicate directly with each other via wireless or wired connections. Examples of one or more computing platforms can include, but are not limited to, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, laptop computers, desktop computers, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or other mobile or stationary devices. In certain embodiments, a system can be provided that can also include one or more hosts or servers, such as the one or more remote platforms connected to the networked environment through wireless or wired connections. According to one embodiment, remote platforms can be implemented in or function as base stations (which can also be referred to as Node Bs or evolved Node Bs (eNBs)). In certain embodiments, remote platforms can include web servers, mail servers, application servers, etc. According to certain embodiments, remote platforms can be standalone servers, networked servers, or an array of servers.

The location awareness warning device 100 can include one or more processors for processing information and executing instructions or operations, including such instructions and/or operations stored on one or more non-transitory mediums. One or more processors can be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In some cases, multiple processors can be utilized according to other embodiments. In fact, the one or more processors can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. In some cases, the one or more processors can be remote from the one or more computing platforms. The one or more processors can perform functions associated with the operation of system which can include, for example, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the one or more computing platforms, including processes related to management of communication resources.

The location awareness warning device 100 can further include or be coupled to a memory (internal or external), which can be coupled to one or more processors, for storing information and instructions that can be executed by one or more processors, including any instructions and/or operations stored on one or more non-transitory mediums. Memory can be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and can be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and removable memory. For example, memory can consist of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memory can include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by one or more processors, enable the one or more computing platforms to perform tasks as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more computing platforms can also include or be coupled to one or more antennas for transmitting and receiving signals and/or data to and from one or more computing platforms. The one or more antennas can be configured to communicate via, for example, a plurality of radio interfaces that can be coupled to the one or more antennas. The radio interfaces can correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identifier (RFID), ultrawideband (UWB), and the like. The radio interface can include components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), mappers, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module, and the like, to generate symbols for a transmission via one or more downlinks and to receive symbols (for example, via an uplink).

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A location awareness warning device for a marine vessel, comprising:

a draft sensor configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel;

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to measure a position of the marine vessel;

a tidal gauge device configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel is traveling relative to a vertical datum;

an alert system; and

a microcontroller in communication with the draft sensor, the GPS, the tidal gauge device, and the alert system,

wherein the microcontroller is configured to: receive the draft data, the position of the marine vessel, and the water level; compare the draft data against at least one of the position of the marine vessel and the water level to determine a water condition, the water condition including a safe water condition and an unsafe water condition; generate an output signal indicative of the water condition; transmit the water condition to the alert system; cause the alert system to enter an active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition; and activate an alert when the alert system is in the active state.

2. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller further includes hydrographic survey data, and the microcontroller is configured to compare the draft data against the position of the marine vessel, the water level, and the hydrographic survey data to determine the water condition.

3. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the draft sensor is a pressure sensor configured to measure hydrostatic pressure and depth of the marine vessel in real time.

4. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the draft sensor includes a plurality of draft sensors disposed on the marine vessel at a location selected from a group consisting of a bow, a stern, a midpoint between the bow and the stern, and combinations thereof, where the plurality of draft sensors is configured to determine a maximum depth at the selected location of the marine vessel.

5. The location awareness warning device of claim 4, wherein the draft sensor is disposed on the marine vessel at a bow and a stern, the draft sensor configured to determine a maximum depth at the bow and at the stern of the marine vessel.

6. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the GPS is configured to provide a visual representation of a geographic location of the marine vessel coupled with a map of a surrounding area.

7. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the tidal gauge device is located on a fixed point against which a real-time position of the tide is tracked.

8. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the alert system includes at least one of a siren, a lighting system, and a safety shut down protocol.

9. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, further including a power source configured to provide power to the draft sensor, the GPS, the tidal gauge device, the alert system, and the microcontroller.

10. The location awareness warning device of claim 9, wherein the power source includes one of a rechargeable battery, an energy-storing microchip, and solar energy.

11. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, further including an electronic interface configured to display the draft data, the position of the marine vessel, and the water level.

12. The location awareness warning device of claim 11, wherein the electronic interface includes a display screen configured to visually present information.

13. The location awareness warning device of claim 11, wherein the electronic interface includes a display screen configured to offer user input options authorizing a user to interact with various components of the location awareness warning device.

14. The location awareness warning device of claim 11, wherein the electronic interface includes an input means configured to allow input to be entered.

15. The location awareness warning device of claim 14, wherein the input means includes one of a touch pad and a button.

16. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller includes a memory configured to store hydrographic survey data.

17. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller includes a processor and a memory, the processor configured to access the memory, the memory including a tangible, non-transitory storage medium on which a processor-executable instruction is stored.

18. The location awareness warning device of claim 1, further including an electronic interface and a power source, the electronic interface configured to display the draft data, the position of the marine vessel, and the water level, and the power source configured to provide power to the draft sensor, the GPS, the tidal gauge device, the alert system, the microcontroller, and the electronic interface.

19. A method for using a location awareness warning device for a marine vessel, comprising:

providing a location awareness warning device including: a draft sensor configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel; a global positioning system (GPS) configured to measure a position of the marine vessel; a tidal gauge device configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel is traveling relative to a vertical datum; an alert system; and a microcontroller in communication with the draft sensor, the GPS, the tidal gauge device, and the alert system, wherein the microcontroller is configured to: receive the draft data, the position of the marine vessel, and the water level; compare the draft data against at least one of the position of the marine vessel and the water level to determine a water condition, the water condition including a safe water condition and an unsafe water condition; generate an output signal indicative of the water condition; transmit the water condition to the alert system; cause the alert system to enter an active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition; and activate an alert when the alert system is in the active state;

collecting draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data;

inputting the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data into a processor;

comparing the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data to hydrographic survey data;

calibrating the draft data, GPS data, and tidal gauge data to account for allowances in tide conditions;

determining the water condition including the safe water condition and the unsafe water condition;

generating an output signal indicative of the water condition;

transmitting the water condition to the alert system and causing the alert system to enter the active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition; and

issuing a warning where the water condition is the unsafe water condition by activating the alert when the alert system is in the active state.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the location awareness warning device further includes an electronic interface, and the method further includes projecting a travel path for the marine vessel on the electronic interface.