Unmanned vehicle control and operation in a marine environment

A marine electronic device of a marine vessel on a surface of a body of water, wherein the marine electronic device is 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 unmanned vehicle automatic identification system (AIS) data and unmanned vehicle location data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the unmanned vehicle comprises an AIS configured to gather the unmanned vehicle AIS data regarding other marine vessels or objects, wherein the unmanned vehicle AIS data comprises an indication of a location of at least one other marine vessel or object, wherein the unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit one or more signals, based on the unmanned vehicle AIS data, to at least one other marine vessel to provide an indication of the current location of the unmanned vehicle to the at least one other marine vessel;
• determine, based on the received unmanned vehicle location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;
• determine, based on the unmanned vehicle AIS data, the location of at least one other marine vessel or object relative to the marine vessel.

A method for operating an unmanned vehicle for a marine environment, wherein the unmanned vehicle is controllable by a marine electronic device of a marine vessel traveling on a surface of a body of water, the method comprising:

• receiving unmanned vehicle automatic identification system (AIS) data and unmanned vehicle location data from the unmanned vehicle, wherein the unmanned vehicle comprises an AIS configured to gather the unmanned vehicle AIS data regarding other marine vessels or objects, wherein the unmanned vehicle AIS data comprises an indication of a location of at least one other marine vessel or object, and wherein the unmanned vehicle is configured to transmit one or more signals, based on the unmanned vehicle AIS data, to at least one other marine vessel to provide an indication of the current location of the unmanned vehicle to the at least one other marine vessel;
• determining, based on the received unmanned vehicle location data, the current location of the unmanned vehicle;
• and
• determining, based on the unmanned vehicle AIS data, the location of the at least one other marine vessel or object relative to the marine vessel.