Methods and systems for free-floating nautical stationkeeping

A system, comprising:

• a rotationally symmetric body, wherein a rotational symmetry of the rotationally symmetric body is defined with respect to a central rotational axis of the rotationally symmetric body;
• a reservoir housed within the rotationally symmetric body, the reservoir configured to maintain buoyancy of the rotationally symmetric body relative to a surface of water;
• and
• an extension outwardly protruding from the rotationally symmetric body, the extension configured to induce rotation of the rotationally symmetric body about the central rotational axis to adjust translational motion of the rotationally symmetric body along the surface of water.

A wave engine, comprising:

• a quasi-cylindrical body rotationally symmetric about a central, vertical rotational axis;
• a pair of outlet ports positioned on opposite sides of the quasi-cylindrical body and configured to controllably release water from within the quasi-cylindrical body in two opposing, parallel directions;
• and
• at least one processor storing executable instructions in non-transitory memory which, if executed by the at least one processor, causes the wave engine to:
• receive, from a remote land-based controller, an indication to adjust a direction of translational motion of the wave engine along a surface of water on which the wave engine floats to maintain the wave engine within a geographic area;
• and
• adjust an amount of water released from the pair of outlet ports to induce rotation of the quasi-cylindrical body, where the induced rotation generates a Magnus effect which results in a lift force which adjusts the direction of the translational motion according to the indication.