Patent ID: 7037150

Claim:
A method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steering nozzle, a reversing bucket and one of a bow thruster and a second steering nozzle, comprising: receiving a first vessel control signal from a first vessel control apparatus having at least two degrees of freedom, the first vessel control signal corresponding to a movement of the first vessel control apparatus along at least one degree of freedom; receiving a second vessel control signal corresponding to movement of a second vessel control apparatus along a third degree of freedom; and generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal; wherein the first actuator control signal is coupled to and controls the first steering nozzle, and the second actuator control signal is coupled to and controls one of the second steering nozzle, the reversing bucket, and the bow thruster; and inducing a net translational force to the marine vessel, in response to the first actuator control signal and the second actuator control signal, so that substantially no net rotational force is induced to the marine vessel as a result of movement of the first vessel control apparatus and with the second vessel control apparatus in a neutral position; and inducing a net force to the marine vessel substantially in a same direction as movement of the first vessel control apparatus and the second vessel control apparatus, for all movements of the first vessel control apparatus along the two degrees of freedom and for all movements of the second vessel control apparatus along the third degree of freedom.