A new level of manufacturer stupidity

To be fair, he did say someone was at the helm. But I would hope that he realizes this was not a very challenging docking situation. Sure hope almost anyone could get into that slip.

It's an early adoption of a technology. Really a Beta they've been doing with Boston Whaler and Prestige. The use of cameras to outline a field around your boat isn't of itself new. Use of GPS and joystick is common in Dynamic Positioning. What is an add-on is the docksense processor and integration to create bumpers. Don't know exactly how much it was doing. I think there's a great potential for keeping boats off docks and pilings and other boats. Just wait five years from now. People laughed at joysticks too.

Where I see the "bumper system" being of tremendous use is in the med and in med-mooring situations. Many boats already adopting technology to visualize exactly where they are and distances rather than depending just on crew to call it out. And, it might save some boat and dock damage ultimately on normal slips.

Note that they do not call it "automatic docking" or anything like that, just "assisted docking."

Garmin has a similar assist program, used on vehicles too and they call it Drive Assist.

Our Mercedes Sprinter uses cameras to show location and distances, in lanes, between cars, when parking. Tremendous aid when parking a vehicle that size in a crowded lot.

It's technology and it is unstoppable. And every generation, towards the end, resists. We prize our skills and having them made obsolete by computer code hurts. But it will come. The docking entertainment spectacle at the local marina on Sunday afternoon will go away. Every schmoe will punch in his slip # and the boat will do its thing. In fact, marinas and insurance companies will require its installation, annual inspection, and use.

Yesterday my MIL (90, armed and dangerous) asked me to help order a Christmas gift for my son she wanted to get him. I worked the keyboard/mouse while she watched the screen. When the decision was made I did two more clicks and it was being packed and shipped. She said "Go ahead and order it...." "I just did.".....Then she wrote me a check and I deposited it with my phone in 15 seconds. Her bewildered face spoke volumes about it all.

Right now there's (at least) two people in the cockpit of my airplane. The rumblings of bringing that down to one with a multi flight ground based human monitor with "takeover capability" have been going on for a long time. And then the cockpit will be empty. It'll be freight at first, but eventually people. 90% of the folks on this forum, your's truly included. will NOT get on one. The kids screaming as we speak in the maternity ward of your local hospital will.

Resistance is futile. Three more years in the cockpit and I'll turn it over to the kids. 20-30 years (if I'm lucky) on this rock trying to stay away from crowds and I'll take a long dirt nap.

YMMV.

Cool, but sad if too easy.
A modern 50 foot boat with twin motors would also have a bow thruster:
Easy.
A bigger boat would also have a stern thruster, even easier.
If you can not dock your boat with all that, your should not be driving a boat.

Many of us started in this industry before all of the bells and whistles. From the standpoint of the industry staying alive and putting more asses in seats from a technology standpoint, I think this is great! What a great way to introduce new people to the boating lifestyle that otherwise may have passed on it due to the intimidation of docking, driving, etc. Let it evolve. Things change.

Well put. One thing I've always said, it's impossible to remain the same. Either you continue to move forward and advance or you fall back. Status quo isn't possible because the rest of the world will just pass you by.

Your descriptors of a new operator are unbecoming of the professionalism we all strive to put forward on this forum.

I'd agree with that Carl. Its a shame to call someone a "Non-Boater" because they rely on new technology to enjoy the lifestyle. Can't teach that old dog new tricks apparently...

Capt. Ralph is one of the most helpful members on YF. He sets the bar pretty high and I’m going to hold him to it.

One should know how to operate a boat, both with and without all the tools available on his or her boat. However, if your have those tools available to you on your boat and either don't know all their functionality or just refuse to use all the tools available to you, then that's as bad as the persons you're attacking. These are not meathead toys and their users don't deserve your attacks. They are tools.

Have you ever used a microwave oven? You didn't need it, you could use a stove. Have you ever watched color tv? You didn't need it, tv was fine in black and white. You're typing either in a phone or on a computer. You could get by without them, but that wouldn't be logical in today's world. Ever use an air wrench or power drill? Why didn't you just do it all the old way?

If a tool makes you even 5% better, then it's worth using it.

I can operate without Sonar, without Night Vision, without all the electronics. And, yes, I can handle a boat just fine without a joystick, but combining the engines and both bow and stern thrusters into a single joystick is a joy to use. Being able to see as in the OP's post all the area around the boat is so helpful. I've used a system that showed much like it. I have not used a system with "bumpers" that would prevent touching the docks or another boat. However, I'd welcome the protection. It might reduce stress in certain circumstances once proven.

I've seen experienced captains who didn't even know how to adjust all the settings in their autopilot and were complaining it was too sensitive in certain conditions. They were shocked when I simply told them how to access the menu for settings. I was shocked they'd never gotten and read a manual for their unit.

A good captain is fine without all the bells and whistles, but doesn't resist change and improvement. Instead, they continue to learn for their lifetime.

As to new boaters, we need all we can get, however we can get them. If we can make it safer for them, then that's good. There are thousands of weekend boaters for every professional captain. Yet, the safety of all of us is subject to their skills. Any tool we can provide to make them better is good. Courses like celestial navigation are required for some, but the coastal cruiser who primarily goes by the ICW would never have a need. They're far more aided by a docking tool.

Well put...

And well put.

Oh they're catching it all right, they're just not agreeing with it as stated, but offering a more nuanced, pragmatic version.

I did. This subject is a good argument to require a license and qualifications to operate a boat. Putting an AI device on a boat should not be the qualifier for an operator. It would be a convenience just like an auto pilot as long as it is working properly.