US Patent 10053193 Watercraft docking systems and methods of their operation

A system for securing a watercraft to a dock includes a first sensor for automatically detecting a securing point to which to dock the watercraft, an extendable arm with a cable inside, the cable having a proximal end for mounting to the watercraft, and a grasping element mounted to a distal end of the cable and configured to reversibly engage the securing point. A method for securing a watercraft to a dock includes automatically detecting a securing point on the dock, extending an arm from the watercraft toward the securing point, wherein the arm houses a cable having a proximal end mounted to the watercraft, and reversibly engaging the securing point using a grasping element mounted to a distal end of the arm.