Patent ID: 8807059

Claim:
A system for maneuvering a marine vessel, the vessel having a longitudinal centerline, the system comprising: an input device requesting, lateral movement of the marine vessel with respect to the longitudinal centerline; a plurality of propulsion devices comprising at least a port propulsion device, a starboard propulsion device, each having forward and rear ends, wherein the intermediate propulsion device is disposed on the longitudinal centerline device disposed between the port and starboard propulsion devices, and wherein the intermediate propulsion device is rotatable about a steering axis located on the longitudinal centerline; and a control circuit that controls orientation of the forward ends of the port and starboard propulsion devices inwardly towards the longitudinal centerline so as to create propulsive thrusts along axes that intersect at a common point along the longitudinal centerline, and upon a request for lateral movement from the input device, operates one of the port and starboard propulsion devices in forward gear, operates the other of the port and starboard propulsion devices in reverse gear, and operates the intermediate propulsion device in reverse gear.