Watercraft mooring and docking system

Abstract

A system, method, and device for docking and mooring a watercraft are disclosed. The exemplary device may have a ferrous material or an electromagnetic generator coupled to the watercraft, including a ferrous-hulled watercraft. The device may also have an electromagnetic generator coupled to the dock for selectively generating a magnetic field to attract or oppose a magnetic force field created by the on-board electromagnetic generator. A control device may be used to activate the electromagnetic generators. A communication device may be used to communicate with the control device to activate the electromagnetic generator.

1 . An apparatus for docking a watercraft comprising: 
 a ferrous material coupled to the watercraft for generating a magnetic field;    an electromagnet coupled to a dock for selectively generating a magnetic field to attract the ferrous material;    a control device for activating the electromagnet; and    a communication device on the watercraft for communicating with the control device to activate the electromagnet.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 extensions coupling the ferrous material to the watercraft wherein the extension move from a retrieving position for magnetically coupling the ferrous material to the electromagnet to a docking position for watercraft.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 extensions coupling the electromagnet to the dock wherein the extension move from a retrieving position for magnetically coupling the ferrous material to the electromagnet to a docking position for watercraft.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ferrous material is the hull of the watercraft.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the extension comprises a telescoping pole on a hinged joint.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the extension comprises a spring and a cable coupling the electromagnet to the dock.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a docking stick wherein the docking stick comprises a handle and a loop sized to grip a the electromagnet and move it next to the ferrous material.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for docking a watercraft comprising: 
 a electromagnet coupled to the watercraft for selectively generating a magnetic field;    a ferrous material coupled to a dock for generating a magnetic field to attract or repel the electromagnet;    a control device for activating the electromagnet; and    a communication device on the watercraft for communicating with the control device to activate the electromagnet.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 extensions coupling the electromagnet to the watercraft wherein the extension move from a retrieving position for magnetically coupling the ferrous material to the electromagnet to a docking position for watercraft.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 extensions coupling the ferrous material to the dock wherein the extension move from retrieving position for magnetically coupling the ferrous material to the electromagnet to a docking position for watercraft.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ferrous material is part of a dock pad.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the extension comprises a telescoping pole on a hinged joint.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the extension comprises a spring and a cable coupling the ferrous material to the dock.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a docking stick wherein the docking stick comprises a handle and a loop sized to grip the ferrous material and move it next to the electromagnet.  
   
   
       15 . A method for docking a watercraft comprising the action of: 
 positioning the watercraft a predetermined distance from a docking facility;    communicating activation of an electromagnet from the watercraft to a controller of the electromagnet;    activating the electromagnet; and    docking the watercraft.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the action of: 
 extending the electromagnet to a watercraft retrieving position.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the action of: 
 retracting the electromagnet to a docking position.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the action of: 
 extending the electromagnet to a watercraft mooring position.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the action of: 
 communicating deactivation of the electromagnet from the watercraft to the controller;    deactivating the electromagnet; and    removing the watercraft from the dock    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the action of: 
 manually positioning the electromagnet against a magnetic material coupled to the watercraft.