System and method for assisting a docking operation

A method for assisting a docking operation of a marine vessel, the method comprising:

• monitoring, via a first controller of a vehicle, a position sensor operable to detect a position of the marine vessel;
• receiving, from a second controller corresponding to the marine vessel, a first instruction from the first controller to monitor the position sensor;
• receiving, at the first controller, positional data corresponding to the position of the marine vessel relative to a dock;
• capturing, via an imager of the vehicle, an image of the marine vessel;
• processing the image in an image processor to identify a space between the marine vessel and the dock;
• modifying, via the image processor, the captured image to indicate the space;
• communicating the positional data to the second controller to assist with the docking operation;
• and
• receiving, at the first controller, a third instruction to operate a lighting system of the vehicle, wherein the lighting system directs light toward the marine vessel in response to the third instruction.

A vehicle for assisting a docking operation for a marine vessel, the vehicle comprising:

• a position sensor operable to detect a position of the marine vessel, wherein the position sensor is an imager operable to capture image data corresponding to the marine vessel;
• and
• a first controller communicatively coupled with the position sensor, the first controller operable to:
• receive an instruction from a second controller corresponding to the marine vessel to monitor the position sensor;
• receive location data corresponding to a proximity of the vehicle relative to the marine vessel;
• control the vehicle to move toward the marine vessel based on the location data;
• receive positional data corresponding to a space between the marine vessel and a dock;
• communicate the positional data to the second controller to assist with the docking operation, wherein one of the first controller and the second controller is in communication with an image processor operable to process the image data to identify a space between the marine vessel and the dock, and wherein the image processor is configured to modify the image data to indicate the space;
• and
• receive a third instruction to operate a lighting system of the vehicle, wherein the lighting system directs light toward the marine vessel in response to the third instruction.