MODIFYING MARINE VESSEL PROPULSOR STEERING ANGLE

1 . An apparatus for modifying an effective steering angle of a steerable propulsor of a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:

a structure configured to deflect at least a portion of a stream produced by the steerable propulsor to modify the effective steering angle, the structure being configured to be:

A) attached to a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor; and/or

B) positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, wherein the at least a portion of the stream deflected by the structure has a directional component in an aft direction of the marine vessel,

wherein the structure does not include a reversing deflector.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a deflector or an interceptor.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the structure comprises a deflector including at least one vane.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to move to change the effective steering angle of the steerable propulsor.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to move in a direction toward or away from the stream.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the structure is configured to be actuated in a direction toward or away from the stream.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be permanently attached to the marine vessel or detachable.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to the steering nozzle.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the structure is configured to move with the steering nozzle.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to an inside of the steering nozzle.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached behind the steerable propulsor.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an interceptor.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the interceptor is curved or straight.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure is configured to be positioned within the stream after the stream has exited the steerable propulsor, wherein the at least a portion of the stream deflected by the structure has a directional component in an aft direction of the marine vessel.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to a transom of the marine vessel or a steering nozzle of the steerable propulsor.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the structure is configured to be attached to a transom of the marine vessel and comprises at least one vane.

17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the steerable propulsor comprises a steerable propeller.

18 . (canceled)

19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure maintains a forward-aft directional component of the at least a portion of the stream primarily in the aft direction of the marine vessel.

20 .- 24 . (canceled)

25 . A control system for a marine vessel, comprising:

a processor configured to receive a steering command for the marine vessel, and, when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, the processor is configured to control a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.

26 .- 27 . (canceled)

28 . A method of operating a control system of a marine vessel, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a steering command for the marine vessel; and

when the steering command commands zero steering angle or a steering angle below a threshold, controlling, by the processor, a steering nozzle to angle the steering nozzle such that an interceptor of the steering nozzle is positioned in a direction away from a stream flowing through the steering nozzle.

29 .- 33 . (canceled)