Patent ID: 8145370

Claim:
A manual steering system for a marine vessel including: one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel; a manual steering input device that is manually operable by a user, the manual steering input device arranged to command an ahead course for the vessel and to command turns away from an ahead course, the manual steering input device being arranged to generate a desired vessel turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a vessel turn rate signal indicative of a vessel turn rate; and a control system configured to receive the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal at least when the manual steering input device commands a turn away from an ahead course, wherein the control system is configured to minimise any difference between the vessel turn rate signal and the desired vessel turn rate signal whether the vessel is travelling at high speed or manoeuvring at low speed.