Patent ID: 8978259
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: B63B,G01C,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method of properly positioning a vessel longitudinally along a dock, the method comprising steps of: directing a guidance laser towards a dock, wherein the laser is located at a predetermined position on the vessel and the dock comprises one of: determining a target marking, wherein the target marking is selected from one of the an alignment marking, the series of alignment markings, and the alignment object and the target marking is a reference location used in conjunction with a guidance laser illuminated point to position the vessel in the proper longitudinal position along the dock; emitting a guidance laser beam from the guidance laser, wherein the guidance laser beam is directed in a generally downward direction; and propelling the ship longitudinally along the dock until the guidance laser illuminated point generated by an end of a guidance laser beam generated by the guidance laser aligns with the target marking.