Unmanned Vehicle Control and Operation in a Marine Environment

• US 20180107210A1
• Filed: 10/13/2016
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navico Incorporated (Brunswick Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navico Holding A.S. (Brunswick Corporation)
• Inventors: Harnett, Mark N., Morrish, Geoffrey, Butterworth, Paul, Davis, Alan Peter, Isaacson, Thomas E.H., Hawkins, Jake, Griffith, Mark, Simons, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,019,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/005 Search and rescue [SAR] vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/006 Unmanned surface vessels, e.g. remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/00 Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/005 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/001 Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations self-propelled or direction controlled diving chambers with mechanical link to a base B63C11/42
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/32 for cartography or topography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/66 for retrieving parcels
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/84 Waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8902 : Side-looking sonar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/96 : for locating fish
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 : Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 : characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 : by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 : involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target

Abstract

Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

Claims

1. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data, wherein the at least one sensor is a sonar system configured to collect sonar data from an underwater environment;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data;

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to gather sonar data;

cause the sonar system to gather sonar data;

determine location data associated with the gathered sonar data; and

transmit the gathered sonar data and the location data associated with the gathered sonar data to the marine electronic device for display of the sonar data on a screen of the marine electronic device and association of the location of the unmanned vehicle with the gathered sonar data.

2. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to receive a series of control signals from the marine electronic device, wherein each control signal includes instructions to travel to a new desired location so as to cause the unmanned vehicle to autonomously follow the planned route stored in the memory of the marine electronic device.

3. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

determine a location corresponding to one of a current location or a future location of the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel to the location corresponding to the one of the current location or the future location of the marine vessel such that the unmanned vehicle returns to the marine vessel.

5. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to cause the propulsion system to land the unmanned vehicle on a surface of a body of water such that at least a portion of the sonar system is submerged so as to gather sonar data from the underwater environment.

6. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sonar system is deployable, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water; and

cause the sonar system to deploy from the hover position to beneath the surface of the body of water such that at least a portion of the sonar system is submerged so as to gather sonar data from the underwater environment.

7. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to gather streaming video;

cause the camera to gather camera data in the form of streaming video;

determine location data associated with the gathered camera data; and

transmit the gathered camera data and the location data associated with the gathered camera data to the marine electronic device for display of the streaming video on a screen of the marine electronic device and association of the location of the unmanned vehicle with the gathered camera data.

8. The unmanned vehicle of claim 7, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive a series of control signals from the marine electronic device, wherein each control signal includes instructions to travel to a new desired location such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel according to the series of control signals such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel and the camera data captures streaming video of the marine vessel.

9. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a wind sensor configured to gather wind data including at least wind speed and wind direction, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to gather wind data;

cause the wind sensor to gather wind data;

determine location data associated with the gathered wind data; and

transmit the gathered wind data and the location data associated with the gathered wind data to the marine electronic device for association of the location of the unmanned vehicle with the gathered wind data.

10. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to perform a search and rescue operation; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel according to the search and rescue operation.

11. The unmanned vehicle of claim 10 further comprising deployable equipment, wherein the deployable equipment includes at least one of a float device, a rope, or a radio device, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water; and

cause deployment of the deployable equipment from the hover position to the surface of the body of water such that the person in the water has access to the deployable equipment.

12. The unmanned vehicle of claim 10 further comprising at least one light, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water; and

cause emission of light at the location corresponding to the person in the water such that the light covers the person and visually marks the location of the person in the water.

13. The unmanned vehicle of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least an infrared sensor configured to gather infrared data, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause operation of the infrared sensor as the unmanned vehicle travels to gather infrared data to locate a person in a body of water;

determine location data associated with the gathered infrared data; and

transmit the gathered infrared data and the location data associated with the gathered infrared data to the marine electronic device for display of the infrared data on a screen of the marine electronic device and association of the location of the unmanned vehicle with the gathered infrared data.

14. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 further comprising deployable bait or chum, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at the desired location; and

cause deployment of the deployable bait or chum from the hover position to the body of water.

15. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle such that the propulsion system is configured to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly around the marine environment.

16. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an Unmanned surface vehicle such that the propulsion system is configured to cause the unmanned surface vehicle to travel along a surface of a body of water, of the marine environment.

17. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned underwater vehicle such that the propulsion system is configured to cause the unmanned underwater vehicle to travel beneath a surface of a body of water of the marine environment.

18. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is at least one of a sonar system, a radar system, a microphone, a temperature sensor, a wind sensor, a heave/roll sensor, or an IR sensor.

19. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive a landing control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to land on the marine vessel while the marine vessel is travelling along a surface of a body of water, wherein the landing control signal includes a location of the marine vessel, a direction of travel of the marine vessel, and a speed of travel of the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle, based on the location of the marine vessel, the speed of travel of the marine vessel, and the direction of travel of the marine vessel, to land on the marine vessel.

20. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

determine a second current location; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to return to the current location in an instance in which the second current location is at least a pre-determined distance from the current location such that the unmanned vehicle is virtually anchored and configured to be maintained at the current location.

4. (canceled)

21. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location;

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor is a sonar system configured to collect sonar data from an underwater environment;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to gather sonar data;

receive the gathered sonar data;

receive location data associated with the gathered sonar data;

determine a location associated with the gathered sonar data;

store the gathered sonar data in association with the location in the memory; and

cause display of an indication of the location associated with the gathered sonar data on a screen of the marine electronic device while causing display of the gathered sonar data.

22. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a series of control signals to the unmanned vehicle, wherein each control signal includes instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel to a new desired location so as to cause the unmanned vehicle to autonomously follow the planned route stored in the memory of the marine electronic device.

23. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause display of the current location of the unmanned vehicle on a screen of the marine electronic device.

26. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to gather camera data in the form of streaming video;

receive the gathered camera data; and

cause display of the streaming video on a screen of the marine electronic device.

27. The marine electronic device of claim 26, wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

receive location data associated with the gathered camera data;

determine a location associated with the gathered camera data;

store the gathered camera data in association with the location in the memory; and

cause display of an indication of the location associated with the gathered camera data on the screen while causing display of the gathered camera data.

28. The marine electronic device of claim 27, wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to cause display of an image corresponding to the camera data over a chart at the associated location.

29. The marine electronic device of claim 27, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a series of control signals to the unmanned vehicle, wherein each control signal includes instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel to a new desired location such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel and the camera data captures streaming video of the marine vessel.

30. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the at least one sensor of the unmanned vehicle is a wind sensor configured to gather wind data including at least wind speed and wind direction, wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to gather wind data;

receive the gathered wind data;

receive location data associated with the gathered wind data;

determine a location associated with the gathered wind data; and

cause display of the wind data and an indication of the location associated with the gathered wind data on a screen of the marine electronic device.

31. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to perform a search and rescue operation.

32. The marine electronic device of claim 31, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes deployable equipment, wherein the deployable equipment includes at least one of a float device, a rope, or a radio device, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water and deploy the deployable equipment from the hover position to the surface of the body of water such that the person in the water has access to the deployable equipment.

33. The marine electronic device of claim 31, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes at least one light, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water and cause emission of light at the location corresponding to the person in the water such that the light covers the person and visually marks the location of the person in the water.

34. The marine electronic device of claim 31, wherein the at least one sensor of the unmanned vehicle comprises at least an infrared sensor configured to gather infrared data, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause operation of the infrared sensor as the unmanned vehicle travels to gather infrared data to locate a person in a body of water;

receive the gathered infrared data and location data corresponding to the gathered infrared data; and

determine, based on the location data and the gathered infrared data, a location of the person in the body of water.

35. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes deployable bait or chum, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location and deploy the deployable equipment from the hover position to the body of water at the location.

36. The marine electronic device of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a landing control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to land on the marine vessel while the marine vessel is travelling along a surface of a body of water, wherein the landing control signal includes a location of the marine vessel, a direction of travel of the marine vessel, and a speed of travel of the marine vessel.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

37. A system for operating an unmanned vehicle in a marine environment, the system comprising:

an unmanned vehicle comprising;

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

an unmanned vehicle processor; and

a memory including unmanned vehicle computer program product stored thereon; and

a marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of the unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising;

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a marine electronic device processor; and

a memory including marine electronic device computer program product stored thereon;

wherein the unmanned vehicle computer program product is configured, when executed by the unmanned vehicle processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data; and

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device;

wherein the marine electronic device computer program product is configured, when executed by the marine electronic device processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location; and

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle; and

wherein the unmanned vehicle computer program product is further configured, when executed by the unmanned vehicle processor, to;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device; and

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location.

38. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data;

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device;

determine a location corresponding to one of a current location or a future location of the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel to the location corresponding to the one of the current location or the future location of the marine vessel such that the unmanned vehicle returns to the marine vessel.

39. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location; and

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle;

determine a location corresponding to one of a current location or a future location of the marine vessel; and

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the location corresponding to the one of the current location or the future location of the marine vessel such that the unmanned vehicle returns to the marine vessel.

40. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to gather streaming video;

cause the camera to gather camera data in the form of streaming video;

transmit the gathered camera data to the marine electronic device for display of the streaming video on a screen of the marine electronic device;

receive a series of control signals from the marine electronic device, wherein each control signal includes instructions to travel to a new desired location such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel according to the series of control signals such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel and the camera data captures streaming video of the marine vessel.

41. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to gather camera data in the form of streaming video;

receive the gathered camera data from the unmanned vehicle; and

cause display of the streaming video on a screen of the marine electronic device;

transmit a series of control signals to the unmanned vehicle, wherein each control signal includes instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to travel to a new desired location such that the unmanned vehicle follows the marine vessel and the camera data captures streaming video of the marine vessel.

42. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to perform a search and rescue operation, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location according to the search and rescue operation;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data; and

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device.

43. The unmanned vehicle of claim 42 further comprising deployable equipment, wherein the deployable equipment includes at least one of a float device, a rope, or a radio device, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water; and

cause deployment of the deployable equipment from the hover position to the surface of the body of water such that the person in the water has access to the deployable equipment.

44. The unmanned vehicle of claim 42 further comprising at least one light, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water; and

cause emission of light at the location corresponding to the person in the water such that the light covers the person and visually marks the location of the person in the water.

45. The unmanned vehicle of claim 42, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least an infrared sensor configured to gather infrared data, and wherein the computer program product is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

cause operation of the infrared sensor as the unmanned vehicle travels to gather infrared data to locate a person in a body of water;

determine location data associated with the gathered infrared data; and

transmit the gathered infrared data and the location data associated with the gathered infrared data to the marine electronic device for display of the infrared data on a screen of the marine electronic device and association of the location of the unmanned vehicle with the gathered infrared data.

46. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location and to perform a search and rescue operation, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location according to the search and rescue operation; and

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle.

47. The marine electronic device of claim 46, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes deployable equipment, wherein the deployable equipment includes at least one of a float device, a rope, or a radio device, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water and deploy the deployable equipment from the hover position to the surface of the body of water such that the person in the water has access to the deployable equipment.

48. The marine electronic device of claim 46, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes at least one light, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at a location corresponding to a person in the water and cause emission of light at the location corresponding to the person in the water such that the light covers the person and visually marks the location of the person in the water.

49. The marine electronic device of claim 46, wherein the at least one sensor of the unmanned vehicle comprises at least an infrared sensor configured to gather infrared data, and wherein the computer program product of the marine electronic device is further configured, when executed by the processor, to:

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause operation of the infrared sensor as the unmanned vehicle travels to gather infrared data to locate a person in a body of water;

receive the gathered infrared data and location data corresponding to the gathered infrared data; and

determine, based on the location data and the gathered infrared data, a location of the person in the body of water.

50. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

deployable bait or chum;

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at the desired location; and

cause deployment of the deployable bait or chum from the hover position to the body of water.

51. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location; and

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the unmanned vehicle to hover at a hover position above a surface of a body of water at the desired location and deploy deployable equipment from the hover position to the body of water at the desired location, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes deployable bait or chum.

52. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned underwater vehicle such that the propulsion system is configured to cause the unmanned underwater vehicle to travel beneath a surface of a body of water of the marine environment;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data; and

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device.

53. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle, to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned underwater vehicle such that a propulsion system of the unmanned vehicle is configured to cause the unmanned underwater vehicle to travel beneath a surface of a body of water of the marine environment; and

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle.

54. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data;

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device;

receive a landing control signal from the marine electronic device with instructions to land on the marine vessel while the marine vessel is travelling along a surface of a body of water, wherein the landing control signal includes a location of the marine vessel, a direction of travel of the marine vessel, and a speed of travel of the marine vessel; and

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle, based on the location of the marine vessel, the speed of travel of the marine vessel, and the direction of travel of the marine vessel, to land on the marine vessel.

55. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location;

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle; and

transmit a landing control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to cause the unmanned vehicle to land on the marine vessel while the marine vessel is travelling along a surface of a body of water, wherein the landing control signal includes a location of the marine vessel, a direction of travel of the marine vessel, and a speed of travel of the marine vessel.

56. An unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel, the unmanned vehicle comprising:

a location sensor configured to gather location data corresponding to the unmanned vehicle;

a propulsion system configured to propel the unmanned vehicle;

at least one operational component configured to gather operational data, wherein the operational component comprises at least one of a sensor configured to obtain sensor data or a camera configured to obtained camera data;

a transmitter configured to transmit data to the marine electronic device;

a receiver configured to receive instructions from the marine electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

determine location data indicative of a current location of the unmanned vehicle;

transmit the location data to the marine electronic device;

receive a control signal from the marine electronic device, wherein the control signal includes instructions to travel to a desired location based on a planned route or waypoint stored in memory of the marine electronic device;

cause the propulsion system to propel the unmanned vehicle to the desired location;

receive operational data from the at least one operational component, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data or camera data;

transmit the operational data to the marine electronic device;

determine a second current location; and

cause the propulsion system to cause the unmanned vehicle to return to the current location in an instance in which the second current location is at least a pre-determined distance from the current location such that the unmanned vehicle is virtually anchored and configured to be maintained at the current location.

57. A marine electronic device of amarine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location;

receive operational data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of sensor data obtained by the unmanned vehicle or camera data obtained by the unmanned vehicle;

receive second location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, a second current location of the unmanned vehicle; and

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to return to the current location in an instance in which the second current location is at least a pre-determined distance from the current location such that the unmanned vehicle is virtually anchored and configured to be maintained at the current location.

58. A marine electronic device of a marine vessel configured for control of an unmanned vehicle, the marine electronic device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit instructions to the unmanned vehicle;

a receiver configured to receive data from the unmanned vehicle;

a processor; and

a memory including computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product is configured, when executed by the processor, to;

receive location data from the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on the received location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;

determine, based on a planned route or waypoint stored in the memory of the marine electronic device, a desired location for the unmanned vehicle;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location, wherein the control signal causes the unmanned vehicle to travel to the desired location;

transmit a control signal to the unmanned vehicle with instructions to gather camera data in the form of streaming video;

receive the gathered camera data from the unmanned vehicle;

receive location data associated with the gathered camera data;

determine a location associated with the gathered camera data;

store the gathered camera data in association with the location in the memory; and

cause display of an image corresponding to the camera data over a chart at the associated location.