Remote-Controlled Inflatable Fender System and Methods

A method of deploying an inflatable fender system for a marine vessel, with the marine vessel comprising a hull having a port side and a starboard side, and the method comprising:

• providing a first inflatable fender system for the marine vessel, the first inflatable fender system comprising:
• a first pneumatic pump residing on the port side of the marine vessel;
• a first stanchion also residing on the port side of the marine vessel;
• a first upper guide track extending along at least a portion of the port side of the hull;
• a first fender substrate wound around the first stanchion, wherein the first fender substrate comprises a plurality of inflatable bladders;
• and
• an air channel configured to move a flow of air from the first pneumatic pump into each of the plurality of inflatable bladders after the first fender substrate has been unwound from the first stanchion, thereby forming a first fender system;
• a check valve controlling the flow of air from the first pneumatic pump into the plurality of bladders, and to hold air pressure in the plurality of bladders along the first fender substrate;
• and
• a bleed valve for controlling air flow out of the plurality of bladders as the first fender substrate is wound around the first stanchion, with the bleed valve comprising a normally-closed valve that is configured to be opened during deflation of the plurality of inflatable bladders;
• pulling the first fender substrate from the first housing along the first upper guide track;
• and
• activating the first pneumatic pump in order to inflate each of the bladders along the first fender substrate thereby deploying the first inflatable fender system.

An inflatable fender for a marine vessel, comprising:

• a fender substrate fabricated from a water-resistant material, wherein the fender substrate comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top edge, and a bottom edge;
• an air channel extending along the fender substrate configured to receive pressurized air;
• a check valve configured to receive the pressurized air;
• a bleed valve configured to release the pressurized air;
• and
• a plurality of bladders disposed along the fender substrate, with each of the bladders being in fluid communication with the air channel;
• and wherein:
• the first end of the fender substrate is configured to be connected to a rotatable stanchion on the marine vessel;
• the fender substrate is configured to be wound around the stanchion in a roll when the stanchion is rotated in a first direction;
• and
• the fender substrate is configured to be unfurled from the stanchion and to extend along a hull of the marine vessel when the stanchion is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• thereby forming an inflatable fender when the plurality of bladders are inflated.