Patent attributes
A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.
