Vessel monitoring system

• US 20040220711A1
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yacht Watchman International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yacht Watchman International, Inc.
• Inventors: Knoska, James J., Dalrymple, Melvin I., Peters, Kevin M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/00 Testing of vehicles testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

The vessel monitoring system of the present invention enables vessel owners to monitor their vessels when they are unable or unavailable to personally do so. The system of the present invention provides an efficient method for inspecting and repairing a designated vessel at periodic intervals and for reporting the results of such inspections and repairs to the vessel'"'"'s owner in a timely manner for the owner'"'"'s review and consideration.

Claims

1. A method for providing inspection reports for a plurality of boats through the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing baseline information about said boats in a database accessible through the Internet;

(b) enabling at least one boat inspector to access said baseline information about said boats through the Internet;

(a) inspecting said boats;

(b) inputting the results of said boat inspections into said database through the Internet; and

(c) making said inspection reports for said boats in said database accessible to users through the Internet.

2. The method of claim 1, which includes providing a plurality of inspection assignments to said boat inspector through the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes providing a monitoring procedure for said boats to said boat inspector through the Internet.

4. A marine vessel monitoring system comprising:

a database for storing a plurality of customer records;

a computer processor for accessing the database, the computer processor adapted to receive inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel and to store the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored marine vessel; and

means for receiving electronic requests to access the inspection data for the monitored marine vessel from the customer records in the database.

5. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the inspection data include information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel.

6. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the monitored marine vessel is floating in water and the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of how the monitored marine vessel is sitting in the water.

7. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the indication of how the monitored marine vessel is sitting in the water includes an indication of whether the monitored marine vessel is pulling to the left or right.

8. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether dockside connections to the monitored marine vessel are intact.

9. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the dockside connections include at least one of a bow line;

a stern line;

a dockside water connection; and

an external electrical line.

10. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether an entry hatch to the monitored marine vessel is secure.

11. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the inspection data include information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel.

12. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the monitored marine vessel includes a bilge pump, and the information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether the bilge pump is working properly.

13. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the monitored marine vessel includes an engine room and the information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether the engine room is in proper order.

14. The marine vessel monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the monitored marine vessel includes a plurality of electrical systems and the information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether the electrical systems are in proper working order.

15. A central monitor for remotely monitoring the condition of a marine vessel, said monitor comprising:

a database for storing a plurality of records associated with a plurality of marine vessels monitored by the central monitor;

a processor configured to access the database and receive data regarding the condition of each marine vessel;

a description of a preferred method of dealing with a problem aboard each marine vessel stored in a record associated with each marine vessel; and

means for displaying the description of the preferred method of dealing with the problem when the problem occurs.

16. The central monitor of claim 15, wherein the preferred method of dealing with a problem aboard the marine vessel includes contacting a designated party in the event that the problem occurs.

17. The central monitor of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive the data regarding the condition of the marine vessel over an internet connection.

18. The central monitor of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive the data regarding the condition of the marine vessel over a wireless connection.

19. The central monitor of claim 15, wherein the processor includes customer information means for providing information regarding the condition of the marine vessel to a customer.

20. The central monitor of claim 19, wherein the customer information means includes sending a facsimile to the customer.

21. The central monitor of claim 19, wherein the customer information means includes sending an electronic mail message to the customer.

22. The central monitor of claim 19, wherein the customer information means includes paging the customer through a wireless pager network.

23. The central monitor of claim 19, wherein the customer information means includes calling the customer over a cellular phone network.