SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MARINE VESSEL

1 . A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors, comprising:

generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals;

coupling the first set of actuator control signals to and controlling the first and second steering nozzles and coupling the second set of actuator control signals to and controlling the first and second trim deflectors;

inducing a net yawing force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial rolling force to the marine vessel, and inducing a net rolling force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial yawing forces to the marine vessel, by controlling in combination the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors; and

wherein the act of inducing comprises inducing a net rolling force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial yawing forces to the marine vessel by actuating one of the first and second steering nozzles and one of the first and second trim deflectors.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically detecting parameters of the marine vessel and of any of the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim tabs during a maneuver of the marine vessel.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising modifying the inducing of any of the net yawing force and the net rolling force to the marine vessel to account for the detected parameters.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of inducing comprises inducing a net minor yawing force to the marine vessel to port or to starboard by maintaining the first and second steering nozzles in a neutral position and actuating one of the first and second trim deflectors.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of inducing comprises inducing a net yawing force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial rolling forces to marine vessel, by actuating one of the first and second steering nozzles and one of the first and second trim deflectors.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inducing a net trimming both an up direction and a down direction to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial rolling or yawing forces to the marine vessel by actuating if the first and second steering nozzles and by controlling the first and second trim deflectors.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of inducing comprises increasing the stability of the marine vessel without inducing any substantial trimming forces to the marine vessel by actuating each of the first and second steering nozzles and by actuating each of the first and second trim deflectors.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of generating the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals comprises calculating the first and second sets of actuator control signals with at least one algorithm configured to apply the net force to the marine vessel.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a first vessel control signal from a first vessel control apparatus having at least two degrees of freedom, the first vessel control signal corresponding to a movement of the first vessel control apparatus along at least one degree of freedom.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving a second vessel control signal that corresponds to movement of a second vessel control apparatus along a rotational degree of freedom.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the act of generating the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals comprises generating the first set of actuator control signals such that a first degree of freedom of the first vessel control apparatus controls a net rolling force induced to the marine vessel, and generating the second set of actuator control signals such that a second degree of freedom of the first vessel control apparatus controls a net trimming force induced to the marine vessel.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a first vessel control signal from an autopilot controller.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a third set of actuator control signals that control a speed of a prime mover of a water jet propulsor corresponding to at least one of the first and second steering nozzles.

14 . A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors, comprising:

a processor that is configured to provide a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals;

wherein the first set of actuator control signals are coupled to and control the first and second steering nozzles and the second set of actuator control signals are coupled to and control the first and second trim deflectors;

wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals to induce a net yawing force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial rolling force to the marine vessel, and to induce a net rolling force to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial yawing force to the marine vessel by controlling in combination the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors;

wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signal to induce a net rolling force to the vessel without inducing any substantial yawing forces to the marine vessel, by actuating one of the first and second steering nozzles and by actuating one of the first and second trim deflectors.

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising at least one detector that automatically detects parameters of the marine vessel and of any of the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim tabs during a maneuver of the marine vessel.

16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising an active control module that modifies any of the net yawing force and the net rolling force to the marine vessel to account for the detected parameters.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals so that for inducing the net yawing movements of the vessel to port or to starboard, the first and second steering nozzles are maintained in a neutral position and one of the first and second trim deflectors is actuated.

18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signal so that a net yawing force is induced to the marine vessel without inducing any substantial rolling forces to marine vessel, by actuating one of the first and second steering nozzles and one of the first and second trim deflectors.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signal to induce a net trimming force to the marine vessel in both an up direction and a down direction without inducing any substantial rolling or yawing forces to the marine vessel by actuating each of the first and second steering nozzles and by controlling the first and second trim deflectors.

20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to provide the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signal to increase the stability of the marine vessel without inducing any substantial trimming forces to the marine vessel by actuating each of the first and second steering nozzles and by actuating each of the first and second trim deflectors.

21 - 28 . (canceled)