Vessel monitoring system

Abstract

A vessel monitoring system enabling vessel owners to monitor their vessels when they are unable or unavailable to personally do so. The system provides an efficient method for inspecting and repairing a designated vessel at periodic intervals and for reporting the results of such inspections and repairs to the vessel's owner in a timely manner for the owner's review and consideration.

1 . A method for providing inspection reports for a plurality of boats through the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) storing baseline information about said boats in a database accessible through the Internet;    (b) enabling at least one boat inspector to access said baseline information about said boats through the Internet;    (c) inspecting said boats;    (d) inputting the results of said boat inspections into said database through the Internet; and    (e) making said inspection reports for said boats in said database accessible to users through the Internet.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes providing a plurality of inspection assignments to said boat inspector through the Internet.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes providing a monitoring procedure for said boats to said boat inspector through the Internet.  
   
   
       4 . A method for providing access to an inspection report for a marine vessel, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a database for storing a plurality of customer records;    (b) providing a computer processor for accessing the database;    (c) receiving inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel;    (d) storing the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored-marine vessel in the database, the inspection data including information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel, wherein the monitored marine vessel is floating in water and the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of how the monitored marine vessel is sitting in the water; and    (e) providing access to the inspection data for the monitored marine vessel from the customer records in the database.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the indication of how the monitored marine vessel is sitting in the water includes an indication of whether the monitored marine vessel is pulling to the left or right.  
   
   
       6 . A method for providing inspection reports for a marine vessel, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a database for storing a plurality of customer records;    (b) providing a computer processor for accessing the database;    (c) receiving inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel;    (d) storing the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored marine vessel in the database, the inspection data including information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel, wherein the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether dockside connections to the monitored marine vessel are intact; and    (e) providing access to the inspection data for the monitored marine vessel from the customer records in the database.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dockside connections include at least one of a bow line; a stem line; a dockside water connection; and an external electrical line.  
   
   
       8 . A method for providing inspection reports for a marine vessel, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a database for storing a plurality of customer records;    (b) providing a computer processor for accessing the database;    (c) receiving inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel;    (d) storing the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored marine vessel in the database, the inspection data including information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel, wherein the information regarding the status of the exterior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether an entry hatch to the monitored marine vessel is secure;    (e) providing access to the inspection data for the monitored marin vessel from the customer records in the database.    
   
   
       9 . A method for providing inspection reports for a marine vessel, said method comprising: 
 (a) a database for storing a plurality of customer records;    (b) providing a computer processor for accessing the database;    (c) receiving inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel;    (d) storing the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored marine vessel, the inspection data including information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel, wherein the monitored marine vessel includes an engine room and the information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether the engine room is in proper order; and    (e) providing access to the inspection data for the monitored marine vessel from the customer records in the database.    
   
   
       10 . A method for providing inspection reports for a marine vessel, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a database for storing a plurality of customer records;    (b) providing a computer processor for accessing the database;    (c) receiving inspection data regarding the status of a monitored marine vessel;    (d) storing the received inspection data in a customer record associated with the monitored marine vessel, the inspection data including information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel, wherein the monitored marine vessel includes a plurality of electrical systems and the information regarding the status of the interior of the monitored marine vessel includes an indication of whether the electrical systems are in proper working order; and    (e) providing access to the inspection data for the monitored marine vessel from the customer records in the database.    
   
   
       11 . A central monitor for remotely monitoring the condition of a marine vessel, said monitor comprising: 
 a database for storing a plurality of records associated with a plurality of marine vessels monitored by the central monitor;    a processor configured to access the database and receive data regarding the condition of each marine vessel;    a description of a preferred method of dealing with a problem aboard each marine vessel stored in a record associated with each marine vessel; and    means for displaying the description of the preferred method of dealing with the problem when the problem occurs.    
   
   
       12 . The central monitor of  claim 11 , wherein the preferred method of dealing with a problem aboard the marine vessel includes contacting a designated party in the event that the problem occurs.  
   
   
       13 . The central monitor of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the data regarding the condition of the marine vessel over an internet connection.  
   
   
       14 . The central monitor of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the data regarding the condition of the marine vessel over a wireless connection.  
   
   
       15 . The central monitor of  claim 11 , wherein the processor includes customer information means for providing information regarding the condition of the marine vessel to a customer.  
   
   
       16 . The central monitor of  claim 15 , wherein the customer information means includes sending a facsimile to the customer.  
   
   
       17 . The central monitor of  claim 15 , wherein the customer information means includes sending an electronic mail message to the customer.  
   
   
       18 . The central monitor of  claim 15 , wherein the customer information means includes paging the customer through a wireless pager network.  
   
   
       19 . The central monitor of  claim 15 , wherein the customer information means includes calling the customer over a cellular phone network.