Volvo Penta awarded for Assisted Docking System
The simplification of powerboat handling and controls has been gaining ground in the boating industry for several years. Confirming this trend, the DAME Award jury awarded Volvo Penta for its Assisted Docking System solution at METS Trade 2021.
Facilitate port maneuvers by taking into account the wind and current
The Assisted Docking system, offered for boats equipped with IPS baseplate engines, uses the joystick-based boat controls introduced several years ago. This configuration allows, via azimuth thrusters, to control the boat's movements in all directions. The Assisted Docking System is used in 3 main applications:
- By holding the joystick in one direction, the boat steers in a straight line, taking into account the effects of current and wind.
- By turning the joystick, the boater turns the boat around the fixed point without drifting with the wind
- The docking function allows the boat to be held against a dock, either to disembark a passenger or to give itself time to finalize its mooring.
At any moment, when the helmsman releases his joystick, the boat is maintained at a fixed point via a dynamic positioning system using the environmental sensors and antennas on board.
An assistance, but not an automation of the boat
As its name indicates, the Assisted Docking System is not an automatic docking system. It is only an assistance to the skipper. The helmsman must remain at the controls throughout the maneuver. With this new product, the Swedish engine manufacturer indicates that it wants to make maneuvering less risky and more fun for beginners and experienced boaters.
