Marine Fairway Navigation Using Lateral Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation methods for marine vessels that rely on waypoints are impractical for complex routes involving multiple changes of course and speed, as they require numerous waypoints and manual checks to avoid shoals and navigational markers.
Innovation Solution
A method using a navigator unit and propulsion system that automatically calculates and controls a route within a fairway, allowing the operator to select a desired lateral position within the fairway, and continuously monitors depth contours to ensure safe navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If waypoints are used for navigation, then the vessel can travel between known locations, but the number of waypoints increases significantly for complex routes involving multiple changes of course and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system divides the fairway into multiple segments with predefined lateral positions (e.g., port side, starboard side, centreline). Instead of using numerous waypoints to define every position change, the system segments the navigation task into selecting a fairway and then selecting a lateral position within that fairway, dramatically reducing the number of navigation parameters the operator must manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairway data is pre-calculated and stored, containing all necessary navigation information including depth contours, boundaries, and recommended lateral positions. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time waypoint calculation and manual route planning, allowing the operator to simply select from pre-defined safe navigation paths.
2Reliability
If the operator manually checks the plotted route between waypoints, then safety can be monitored, but the operator's workload increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system automatically performs safety checks by comparing the plotted route against stored fairway data, including depth contours and navigational markers. The system self-verify that the route remains within safe boundaries and maintains adequate depth clearance, eliminating the need for manual operator verification while maintaining high safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vessel's position relative to the fairway boundaries and depth contours, providing automatic feedback to the operator. If the plotted route approaches unsafe areas or insufficient depth, the system alerts the operator, enabling continuous safety monitoring without constant manual intervention.
3Productivity
If the plotted route follows a shipping lane, then efficient navigation is achieved, but the operator must check that the vessel stays to one side of the lane
Solution Approach 1:
The fairway data structure is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the shipping lane boundaries, specifies recommended lateral positions within the lane, and provides depth contour information. This multi-functional data structure allows the system to automatically manage lane positioning requirements without adding separate monitoring systems or increasing operator workload.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method to automatically navigate and control a marine vessel comprising a navigator unit (110) and propulsion system (101), and comprising an operator selecting a desired destination for the navigator unit and retrieving fairway data for at least one fairway (F; F1, F2) between a current position (Pi) and the requested destination (P2), which at least one fairway (F; F1, F2) has a centreline (CL) and a pair of outer boundaries (B1, B1'; B2, B2'). The operator selects a desired lateral position (X1; X2) of the vessel within the at least one fairway (F; F1, F2) to be travelled and the navigator unit calculates a route (R1; R2; R3; R4) to reach the desired destination (P2) using the desired lateral position (X1; X2) of the vessel within the at least one fairway (F; F1, F2) and controls the propulsion system to reach the destination using the navigator unit. The invention further relates to a vessel operated using this method and computer program comprising program code means for performing the method.