Abstract:
A laser guidance docking system utilizes a guidance laser to emit and direct a laser beam towards a dock upper surface. A target marking or reference is located on the dock upper surface. A laser illuminated marking is created at the contact point of the laser beam upon the dock upper surface. The target marking is located at a longitudinal position along a length of the dock upper surface, wherein the target marking provides a reference to properly position the vessel at a longitudinal position along the dock. The laser guidance docking system can be enhanced by integrated a camera, a vertical dimension measurement device, and a laser vertical angle reference device. Information regarding the positional relationship between the laser illuminated marking and the target marking can be presented on a remote video display. The system can include a computing device to adapt for a vertical offset of the laser.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application claming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/633,489, filed on Feb. 13, 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vessel docking guidance system, more specifically a laser directed guidance system using a laser beam to determine a repeatable alignment location of the vessel respective to a dock by aligning the laser beam with a marking system applied to an upper surface of the dock. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In summary, a docking process of a large vessel can be tedious and time consuming. The operating costs of a ship or other large vessel can be as high as hundreds of dollars per minute. In addition to operating costs, the docking procedure generally requires an additional person standing on the dock to aid the captain (or other person overseeing operation of the vessel) in guiding the ship to a desired alignment with the dock. Cruise ships, for example, dock at a plurality of ports during each cruise. Excess minutes during each docking can add up to sizeable costs during each cruise. When docking large vessels, the process requires that the vessel be positioned longitudinally along the dock to properly position the ships bitts or other mooring equipment at a desired relation with the docks bitts, cleats, or other mooring equipment. 
     In more detail, many vessels call on the same port on a regular basis and berth at the same dock or wharf each time they arrive in the port. 
     In many instances for ships using the same dock on a regular basis, the final docking positioning of a vessel is critical and is virtually the same every time (within inches) in order for the ramps, chiksans (mechanical loading arms for oil tankers), gangway, side ports, cranes to be properly positioned for cargo operations or the skyway for the loading/unloading of passengers. 
     Currently, a vessel is spotted (positioned) by a harbormaster standing on the dock or a crewmember aboard the vessel to ensure the position of the chiksans, ramps, gangway(s) are correct. This is accomplished by the harbormaster walking up and down the dock or the crewmember walking the deck of the ship checking to ensure the line up of the ship&#39;s gangway, ramp, etc. are in proper position. This repetitive process, which is time consuming, is required to be done each time the ship berths even though the vessel is docking at the same berth over and over again and must be berthed within several inches of the predetermined position each time. 
     Currently, there is no accurate method to visually determine on the bridge of the ship if the vessel is in the proper fore and aft position for cargo operations, chiksans for tankers and/or the skyway used for embarking/disembarking passengers. 
     When a large vessel is docking and in position, it can be visually challenging on the bridge of the ship which can be 16 stories (approximately 170′) above water to determine minimal fore and aft movement of the vessel when the lines are being put on the dock to secure the vessel. Many times during the docking evolution while lines are being put out, a vessel creeps either fore or aft and must be repositioned due to the virtually unnoticeable fore and aft motion from the bridge several stories high. 
     The current method of determining the fore and aft movement of a ship is done by eye by horizontally aligning two fixed objects on land to determine fore and aft motion or by using a Doppler speed log and looking at a computer screen to determine the numerical fore and aft motion. 
     The problem with aligning two fixed objects on land to determine fore/aft movement is that the person&#39;s head must remain stationary and eyes fixed on the two objects to determine fore/aft motion accurately. Once the eyes or head move the original reference point is lost. 
     Doppler is very accurate, however it requires taking your eyes off the side of the vessel and looking at a computer screen. When docking a vessel, the prudent person in charge of maneuvering the vessel is looking down the side of the vessel to monitor the lateral motion, fore/aft motion and the ships lines going out as well to ensure they do not get too taught by the fore/aft motion and part. 
     During the docking of a vessel, the fore and aft motion of the vessel is currently determined visually by aligning fixed objects on land perpendicular to the vessel. The other alternative is using a Doppler docking system, which is an electronic device that gives the longitudinal and lateral speed of the vessel toward or away from the dock and alongside the dock. The information displayed on the Doppler docking system is displayed on a computer screen and does not provide any visual reference. 
     At the present time, there is no visual aid available to help determine the fore and aft motion of a vessel alongside the dock or wharf and/or the correct docking position of a vessel which berths at the same dock on a regular basis. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a docking guidance system that enables the ship&#39;s controlling officer the ability to quickly, easily, and adequately position a vessel in a precise aligned location respective to a length of a dock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art by disclosing an apparatus, a system, and a method of using a laser to aid in properly positioning a vessel longitudinally along a dock. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a method of properly positioning a vessel longitudinally along a dock, the method comprising steps of: 
     directing a laser towards a dock, wherein the laser is located at a predetermined position on the vessel and the dock comprises one of a marking and a series of markings; 
     determining which of the one of the marking and the series of markings positions the vessel in the proper longitudinal position along the dock; and 
     propelling the ship longitudinally along the dock until an illuminated point generated by an end of a laser beam generated by the laser aligns with the determined one of the marking and the series of markings. 
     In accordance with an enhanced embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of 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:
         an alignment marking,   a series of alignment markings, and   an alignment object;       

     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. 
     In one aspect, the laser is retained by a pivotally assembly, enabling the laser to remain in a generally vertical orientation independent of the vessel&#39;s orientation. 
     In another aspect, the laser is retained by a pivoting gimbal assembly, wherein the gimbal assembly enables the laser to remain in a generally vertical orientation independent of the vessel&#39;s orientation. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser is retained by a pivoting ball joint assembly, wherein the ball joint assembly enables the laser to remain in a generally vertical orientation independent of the vessel&#39;s orientation. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser is retained by a pivoting combination of a ball joint and a gimbal assembly, wherein the combined ball joint and a gimbal assembly enables the laser to remain in a generally vertical orientation independent of the vessel&#39;s orientation. 
     In yet another aspect, the pivoting gimbal assembly further comprises a series of springs to retain the laser in central alignment with a housing. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser is retained within a laser enclosure. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser further comprises a camera to obtain an image of the relationship of the laser beam display and the alignment marker on the dock. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser system comprises a vertical correction system, wherein the vertical correction system comprises a vertical reference device attached to the laser, a height measurement device attached to the laser, and a computing device to determine an angular offset of the laser from vertical and a distance between the laser pivot location and the laser imaging surface; then calculating the horizontal offset of the laser beam location resulting from the angular offset. 
     In yet another aspect, the laser system comprises a visual output, wherein the visual output is presented on a system display. The visual output can display the actual laser beam location, the calculated corrected laser beam location, and the desired target reference. The display can additionally include a distance scale to aid in determining a remaining distance between the current vessel position and the target vessel position. 
     In yet another aspect, system data obtained from the laser assembly can be wirelessly transferred to a system control unit. The system data can include digital images, vertical angular offsets, laser to dock distance information, and the like. 
     In yet another aspect, the system can include a wireless receiver integrated into a system control unit. The system control unit can be installed within a bridge of the ship, portable for use by a pilot, tug boat operator, and the like, or both. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an exemplary vessel utilizing an exemplary laser guidance docking system to precisely position the vessel longitudinally along a dock; 
         FIG. 2  presents a side elevation view of the vessel utilizing the exemplary laser guidance docking system as originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents a top plan view of the vessel utilizing the exemplary laser guidance docking system as originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  presents a front (bow) elevation view of the vessel utilizing the exemplary laser guidance docking system as originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the laser guidance system is mounted to an exterior of the vessel superstructure; 
         FIG. 5  presents a front (bow) elevation view of a vessel having wide bridge wings and utilizing a modified exemplary laser guidance docking system, wherein the laser guidance system is located within an interior of a bridge wing of the vessel; 
         FIG. 6  presents an isometric bottom view of an exemplary laser guidance docking system; 
         FIG. 7  presents an isometric top view of functional elements located within an interior of the exemplary laser guidance docking system originally introduced in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  presents an isometric partially exploded assembly view of the laser and mounting elements of the exemplary laser guidance docking system originally introduced in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  presents an isometric partially exploded assembly view of a gimbal subassembly use for pivotally mounting the laser; 
         FIG. 10  presents a cross-sectional view of the laser guidance docking system, wherein the section is taken along section line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  presents a cross-sectional view of the laser guidance docking system, wherein the section is taken along section line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12  presents an isometric system diagram of an exemplary enhanced laser guidance docking system; 
         FIG. 13  presents an isometric view of the laser exhibiting a vertical angular offset, wherein the illustration presents a method of correcting a vertical angular offset of the laser; 
         FIG. 14  presents a plan view illustrating an offset resulting from the vertical angular offset of the laser; and 
         FIG. 15  presents an isometric view of an exemplary visual display, wherein the display is presenting an exemplary laser beam location correction. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular embodiments, features, or elements. Specific structural and functional details, dimensions, or shapes disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for the claims and for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     A docking process of a large vessel can be tedious and time consuming. The operating costs of a ship or other large vessel can be as high as hundreds of dollars per minute. In addition to operating costs, the docking procedure generally requires an additional person standing on the dock to aid the captain (or other person overseeing operation of the vessel) in guiding the ship to a desired alignment with the dock. Cruise ships, for example, dock at a plurality of ports during each cruise. Excess minutes during each docking can add up to sizeable costs during each cruise. When docking large vessels, the process requires that the vessel be positioned longitudinally along the dock to properly position the ships bitts or other mooring equipment at a desired relation with the docks bitts, cleats, or other mooring equipment. 
     The process is optimized by integrating a vessel laser positioning system  200  into a vessel  100 , as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments presented in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The vessel laser positioning system  200  can be attached to an exterior of the vessel  100  using a positioning system mount  130  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  or utilized within an extended bridge wing  109  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The vessel  100  can be any sizeable vessel requiring assistance for longitudinal placement along a length of a dock platform  120 . Although the exemplary vessel  100  is illustrated as a cruise ship, it is understood that the vessel  100  can be any ship, including a private yacht, a corporate yacht, a cargo ship, an oil tanker, a military ship, and the like. 
     The vessel  100  commonly includes a vessel superstructure  104 , which extends upward from a vessel hull  102 . A vessel bridge  106  is integrated into the vessel superstructure  104 , wherein the vessel bridge  106  houses the ships navigation and operational control interfaces which are overseen by the ships operational controller and operation crew. Other elements of note that are shown in the illustrations include a body of water  199  and a dock supporting structure  121 . The dock supporting structure  121  can include a seawall, a plurality of pilings, and the like. 
     The vessel laser positioning system  200  works in conjunction with a target marking located upon a dock upper surface  122  of the dock platform  120 . The target marking can be provided in any suitable form factor. One exemplary marking is a location reference object  128 . The location reference object  128  can be fixed to the dock upper surface  122  or placed by an operator when needed. The location reference object  128  can be a cone, a piling, and the like. A second exemplary marking is a single marking applied to the dock upper surface  122  of the dock platform  120 . A third exemplary marking is a series of alignment markers  124  applied to the dock upper surface  122  of the dock platform  120 . Each alignment marker  124  of the series of alignment markers  124  can be identified by an alignment marker reference  126 . The alignment marker references  126  can be alphabetical, numeric, alphanumeric, a series of symbols, and the like. The vessel laser positioning system  200  emits a laser beam  202 , which generates a laser illuminated marking  204 . The vessel  100  moves in accordance with a fore motion  110  or an aft motion  112  until the laser illuminated marking  204  is aligned with the target marking. 
     The vessel laser positioning system  200  can be affixed to an exterior surface of the bridge wing  108  or any other suitable exterior surface of the vessel superstructure  104  by a positioning system mount  130  ( FIG. 4 ). The vessel laser positioning system  200  is preferably located at a distance from a gunwale that extends sufficiently over the dock upper surface  122  of the dock platform  120 . Certain vessels  100  include an extended bridge wing  109 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein the extended bridge wing  109  extends sufficiently beyond the gunwale of the vessel  100  to enable placement of the vessel laser positioning system  200  therein. The preferred design of the extended bridge wing  109  would include a bridge wing glass floor  107 , which enables passage of the laser beam  202  therethrough. Alternatively, a transparent section can be inserted into a floor of the extended bridge wing  109  at the desired location of the vessel laser positioning system  200 . In either case, the location of the vessel laser positioning system  200  must be repeatable 
     Any motion of the vessel  100  can affect the vertical orientation of the laser beam  202 . The vessel laser positioning system  200  can include features to compensate for any deviation from a vertical orientation. Details of the vessel laser positioning system  200  are presented in  FIGS. 6 through 11 . The vessel laser positioning system  200  includes a laser assembly  220  pivotally supported by a bi-directional gimbal assembly  230  and encased within an enclosure. The enclosure is preferably water-resistant or waterproof and includes a laser tubular enclosure  210  sealed at an upper end by an enclosure upper seal  219  and at a lower end by an enclosure lower seal  214 . The enclosure lower seal  214  includes a lower seal central aperture  218  (which is covered by an enclosure laser window  216 ), wherein the lower seal central aperture  218  (and respective cover  216 ) enables passage of the laser beam  202  therethrough. 
     The pivotal support of the laser assembly  220  can be provided in any of a variety of form factors. The laser assembly  220  includes a guidance laser  222  having a laser lens  224  located at a beam emitting end thereof. The exemplary form factor includes a combination of a ball mount  226  and a bi-directional gimbal assembly  230 . The guidance laser  222  can be any suitable laser pointer configuration, including a laser diode (preferably not to exceed 5 mW). The laser can be of any suitable wavelength, such as 635 nm (emitting a red colored beam), 532 nm (emitting a green colored beam), 445 nm (emitting a blue colored beam), 593.5 nm or 589 nm (emitting a yellow or golden colored beam), and the like. The system can include features to dissipate heat generated by the laser  222 . The guidance laser  222  emits a laser beam  202  illuminating a point of interest with a small bright spot of colored light, referred to herein as a laser illuminated marking  204 . The selection of the laser  222  should consider the legal restrictions in each country that the vessel  100  may moor at. 
     The bi-directional gimbal assembly  230  includes a lower gimbal subassembly  260  pivotally assembled to an upper gimbal subassembly  240  by a lower gimbal body mounting axle  270 . The upper gimbal subassembly  240  is pivotally assembled to the laser tubular enclosure  210  by an upper gimbal body mounting axle  250 . The upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  is preferably oriented at a right angle to the lower gimbal body mounting axle  270 , providing a bi-directional gimbal motion of the bi-directional gimbal assembly  230 . The upper gimbal subassembly  240  includes an upper gimbal body  242  formed comprising a central passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, wherein the central passageway is defined by an upper gimbal body interior surface  244 . A pair of upper gimbal pivot axle mounting apertures  246  is drilled along a diameter passing through an upper sidewall region of the upper gimbal body  242  for passage of an upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  therethrough. The upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  is assembled to the upper gimbal body  242  by passing the upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  through the pair of upper gimbal pivot axle mounting apertures  246 . The upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  pivotally assembles the upper gimbal body  242  to the laser tubular enclosure  210  by passing the upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  through a respective aperture drilled along a diameter and passing through the laser tubular enclosure  210 . The upper gimbal body  242  is retained in a centralized position within an interior of the laser tubular enclosure  210  by assembling an upper gimbal body mounting biasing member  252  onto each end segment of the upper gimbal body mounting axle  250  extending outward from the upper gimbal body  242 . Each upper gimbal body mounting biasing member  252  is retained in compression by a respective upper gimbal body mounting inner washer  254  placed against an outer surface of the upper gimbal body  242  and a respective upper gimbal body mounting outer washer  256  placed against a tubular enclosure interior wall  212  of the laser tubular enclosure  210  as best illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The resulting assembly retains the upper gimbal body  242  centered within the laser tubular enclosure  210 . 
     A pair of lower gimbal mounting apertures  248  is drilled along a diameter and passing through a lower sidewall region of the upper gimbal body  242  for assembly of the lower gimbal subassembly  260 . 
     The lower gimbal subassembly  260  includes a lower gimbal body  262  formed comprising a central passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, wherein the central passageway is defined by a lower gimbal body interior surface  264 ; the central passageway terminating at a curved lower section comprising a ball mount aperture  268  passing therethrough. A pair of lower gimbal pivot axle mounting apertures  266  is drilled along a diameter passing through an upper sidewall region of the lower gimbal body  262  for passage of a lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  therethrough. The lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  is assembled to the lower gimbal body  262  by passing the lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  through the pair of lower gimbal pivot axle mounting apertures  266 . The lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  pivotally assembles the lower gimbal body  262  to the upper gimbal body  242  by passing the lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  through a lower gimbal mounting aperture  248  drilled along a diameter and passing through the upper gimbal body  242 . The lower gimbal body  262  is retained in a centralized position within an interior of the upper gimbal body  242  by assembling a lower gimbal body mounting biasing member  272  onto each end segment of the lower gimbal body mounting axle  270  extending outward from the lower gimbal body  262 . Each lower gimbal body mounting biasing member  272  is retained in compression by a respective lower gimbal body mounting inner washer  274  placed against an outer surface of the lower gimbal body  262  and a respective lower gimbal body mounting outer washer  276  placed against a upper gimbal body interior surface  244  of the upper gimbal body  242  as best illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The resulting assembly retains the lower gimbal body  262  centered within the upper gimbal body  242 , and ultimately centered within the laser tubular enclosure  210 . 
     The exemplary laser assembly  220  is pivotally assembled to the bi-directional gimbal assembly  230  by seating a ball mount  226  within the curved lower section of the lower gimbal body  262 . The ball mount  226  is assembled to a laser unit  222  by a ball mount assembly post  228 . The ball mount assembly post  228  provides sufficient distance between a lower region of the ball mount  226  and an upper region of the laser unit  222 , enabling a desired additional pivotal motion. It is understood that the laser unit  222  can be assembled to the laser tubular enclosure  210  using either the ball mount  226  in conjunction with a curved mating mounting element, exclusive of the ball mount  226  and rigidly fixed to the lower gimbal body  262  of the bi-directional gimbal assembly  230 , or a combination thereof. 
     A laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  is installed either about a peripheral surface of the laser unit  222 , adhered to the tubular enclosure interior wall  212  of the laser tubular enclosure  210 , or both to protect the laser unit  222  from damage during unwarranted motion, where the laser unit  222  can impact the tubular enclosure interior wall  212  of the laser tubular enclosure  210  as a result of any motion of the vessel  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  includes a impact absorbing member central channel  282  sized and shaped to affix to an exterior surface of the laser unit  222 . A impact absorbing member longitudinal slot  284  can be cut longitudinally along a length of the laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  to aid in assembling the laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  to the laser unit  222 . The laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  can be retained against the laser unit  222  by any suitable method, including friction, adhesive, geometric interference, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  can be affixed to the tubular enclosure interior wall  212  of the laser tubular enclosure  210 . The laser protecting impact absorbing member  280  would absorb any impact caused by the laser unit  222  swinging from motion of the vessel  100  to minimize or eliminate any potential for damage to the laser unit  222 . 
     The weight of the laser unit  222  and freedom of motion provided by the combination of the bi-directional gimbal assembly  230  and the ball mount  226  retains the laser unit  222  in a substantially vertical orientation. A laser vertical angular reference device  294  and respective supporting equipment can be integrated into an enhanced vessel laser guidance docking system  300 , as presented in the exemplary block diagram illustrated in  FIGS. 12 through 15 . Additionally, the enhanced vessel laser guidance docking system  300  enables a one person operation of the system, where an image of the relationship between the laser illuminated marking  204  and the respective alignment marker on the dock upper surface  122  is presented to the operational controlling officer of the vessel  100  on a system display  330 . 
     The enhanced vessel laser guidance docking system  300  integrates a laser reference camera  290 , a laser height measurement device  292  and the laser vertical angular reference device  294  into the vessel laser positioning system  200 . The enhanced vessel laser guidance docking system  300  further integrates a system computing device  320  and a system display  330  therein. Power for operation of each of the devices can be provided by a power source  310 . The preferred power source  310  would be one or more of the vessel&#39;s general electrical power distribution networks. Power is transferred from the power source  310  to the vessel laser positioning system  200  by a power conduit  312 . Power is transferred from the power source  310  to the system computing device  320  by a power conduit  314 . It is understood that the power source  310  can be any suitable power source, including any of the vessel&#39;s general electrical power distribution networks, one or more batteries, solar power, a self generating power system, a movement power generating system, and the like. 
     In operation, the laser reference camera  290  obtains a digital image of the relationship between the laser illuminated marking  204  and the respective alignment marker on the dock upper surface  122 . The laser height measurement device  292  obtains data to determine a vertical distance between the pivotal center of the ball mount  226  and the dock upper surface  122  or other surface illuminated by the laser illuminated marking  204 . The laser height measurement device  292  can determine either a vertical distance between the ball mount  226  and the dock upper surface  122  (a distance that would be parallel to the laser beam  202  of  FIG. 13 ) or a linear distance between the ball mount  226  and the dock upper surface  122  depending upon the device selected (a distance that would be parallel to the angled laser beam  362  of  FIG. 13 ). The laser vertical angular reference device  294  determines a vertical angular relation  352 , wherein the vertical angular relation  352  can include an angle and a direction of the angular relation between the laser unit  222  and a vertical orientation. Data obtained by each of the laser reference camera  290 , the laser height measurement device  292  and the laser vertical angular reference device  294  is transferred to a system computing device  320  using either a wired or wireless communication (represented by a wireless laser data transmitter  298  and a wireless laser data receiver  322  illustrated in  FIG. 12 ). A resulting horizontal offset  354  can be calculated using the vertical distance  350  and the vertical angular relation  352  in conjunction with common geometric formulas. 
     A combination of known parameters of camera used to obtain the digital image and the determined vertical height can be used to calculate a dimension between the target marking  124 ,  128  on the dock upper surface  122  and the laser illuminated marking  204 . The calculated horizontal offset  354  can be considered to determine the corrected laser illumination position or what would be the vertically generated laser marker location  363  when the laser  222  is in a vertical orientation. 
     The collected data can be processed by the system computing device  320  to present an image upon a displayed image  332  of the system display  330 . The exemplary image illustrated in  FIG. 15  further demonstrates the capabilities and affect of the offset correction process. The image presents a dock alignment marker  370 , a distance scale  372 , a forward motion reference  374  an aft motion reference  376 , and a scale  378  as references for guiding the vessel&#39;s operational officer. The dock alignment marker  370  and distance scale  372  would remain fixed during the docking process. The display would present a corrected laser illumination image  382  at a representative location respective to the dock alignment marker  370 . The location of the corrected laser illumination image  382  respective to the dock alignment marker  370  would be determined from the data collected by the laser reference camera  290 , laser height measurement device  292  and laser vertical angular reference device  294 . The illustration presents the actual laser illumination image  380  as originally obtained by the laser reference camera  290  and the resulting horizontal offset  354  calculated using the data collected by the laser reference camera  290 , laser height measurement device  292  and laser vertical angular reference device  294 . The system can calculate and display a quantified guidance output  390 , wherein the quantified guidance output  390  can include a distance to the final position and a respective direction of travel required. The displayed image can optionally include an actual laser illumination image  380  and/or a target laser illumination image  384  if desired. The display can be programmable, enabling the user with the ability to view or conceal the actual laser illumination image  380  and/or the target laser illumination image  384 . The system can include an option enabling the user to selectively display or conceal the quantified guidance output  390 . The system can enable the user to selectively control the scale, select the units of measure, and the like. 
     Although the exemplary embodiment presents a combination of the ball mount  226  and the bi-directional gimbal assembly  230  mounted within the laser tubular enclosure  210 , it is understood that any structure or system known by those skilled in the art can be employed to retain the laser unit  222  in a vertical orientation. One suggested alternative would be an active vertical retention system using a series of mechanical devices to retain the laser unit  222  in a vertical orientation. Another alternative configuration would affix the laser unit  222  within the enclosure and the vertical orienting elements would retain the enclosure in a vertical orientation. 
     Although the exemplary embodiments orient the laser beam  202  vertically, it is understood that the vessel laser positioning system  200  can be modified to orient the laser beam  202  horizontally to work in conjunction with a vertically oriented reference on the dock platform  120 . 
     The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Element Description References 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 100 
                 vessel 
               
               
                 102 
                 vessel hull 
               
               
                 104 
                 vessel superstructure 
               
               
                 106 
                 vessel bridge 
               
               
                 107 
                 bridge wing glass floor 
               
               
                 108 
                 bridge wing 
               
               
                 109 
                 extended bridge wing 
               
               
                 110 
                 fore motion 
               
               
                 112 
                 aft motion 
               
               
                 120 
                 dock platform 
               
               
                 121 
                 dock supporting structure 
               
               
                 122 
                 dock upper surface 
               
               
                 124 
                 alignment marker 
               
               
                 126 
                 alignment marker reference 
               
               
                 128 
                 location reference object 
               
               
                 130 
                 positioning system mount 
               
               
                 199 
                 body of water 
               
               
                 200 
                 vessel laser positioning system 
               
               
                 202 
                 laser beam 
               
               
                 204 
                 laser illuminated marking 
               
               
                 210 
                 laser tubular enclosure 
               
               
                 212 
                 tubular enclosure interior wall 
               
               
                 214 
                 enclosure lower seal 
               
               
                 216 
                 enclosure laser window 
               
               
                 218 
                 lower seal central aperture 
               
               
                 219 
                 enclosure upper seal 
               
               
                 220 
                 laser assembly 
               
               
                 222 
                 laser unit 
               
               
                 224 
                 laser lens 
               
               
                 226 
                 ball mount 
               
               
                 228 
                 ball mount assembly post 
               
               
                 230 
                 bi-directional gimbal assembly 
               
               
                 240 
                 upper gimbal subassembly 
               
               
                 242 
                 upper gimbal body 
               
               
                 244 
                 upper gimbal body interior surface 
               
               
                 246 
                 upper gimbal pivot axle mounting aperture 
               
               
                 248 
                 lower gimbal mounting aperture 
               
               
                 250 
                 upper gimbal body mounting axle 
               
               
                 252 
                 upper gimbal body mounting biasing member 
               
               
                 254 
                 upper gimbal body mounting inner washer 
               
               
                 256 
                 upper gimbal body mounting outer washer 
               
               
                 260 
                 lower gimbal subassembly 
               
               
                 262 
                 lower gimbal body 
               
               
                 264 
                 lower gimbal body interior surface 
               
               
                 266 
                 lower gimbal pivot axle mounting aperture 
               
               
                 268 
                 ball mount aperture 
               
               
                 270 
                 lower gimbal body mounting axle 
               
               
                 272 
                 lower gimbal body mounting biasing member 
               
               
                 274 
                 lower gimbal body mounting inner washer 
               
               
                 276 
                 lower gimbal body mounting outer washer 
               
               
                 280 
                 laser protecting impact absorbing member 
               
               
                 282 
                 impact absorbing member central channel 
               
               
                 284 
                 impact absorbing member longitudinal slot 
               
               
                 290 
                 laser reference camera 
               
               
                 292 
                 laser height measurement device 
               
               
                 294 
                 laser vertical angle reference device 
               
               
                 298 
                 wireless laser data transmitter 
               
               
                 300 
                 enhanced vessel laser guidance docking system 
               
               
                 310 
                 power source 
               
               
                 312 
                 power conduit 
               
               
                 314 
                 power conduit 
               
               
                 320 
                 system computing device 
               
               
                 322 
                 wireless laser data receiver 
               
               
                 330 
                 system display 
               
               
                 332 
                 displayed image 
               
               
                 350 
                 vertical distance 
               
               
                 352 
                 vertical angular relation 
               
               
                 354 
                 resulting horizontal offset 
               
               
                 362 
                 angled laser beam 
               
               
                 363 
                 vertically generated laser marker location 
               
               
                 364 
                 vertically offset generated laser marker location 
               
               
                 370 
                 dock alignment marker 
               
               
                 372 
                 distance scale 
               
               
                 374 
                 forward motion reference 
               
               
                 376 
                 aft motion reference 
               
               
                 378 
                 scale 
               
               
                 380 
                 actual laser illumination image 
               
               
                 382 
                 corrected laser illumination image 
               
               
                 384 
                 target laser illumination image 
               
               
                 390 
                 quantified guidance output