AutoCaptain™ Important Disclosures and Safety-Related Warnings
Captain Responsibility: The captain remains solely responsible for the safe operation of the vessel at all times, including when AutoCaptain is engaged. The captain must be at the helm, or in close proximity, and must remain attentive and actively monitor system performance whenever AutoCaptain is in use. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vessel, other nearby vessels or objects, and possible bodily injury to you, your passengers or others.
System Engagement: The captain is solely responsible for determining the appropriateness of enabling AutoCaptain in any given situation and must be prepared to immediately assume manual control of the vessel if necessary. AutoCaptain does not relieve the captain of their duty to maintain full situational awareness and supervision of the vessel. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vessel, other nearby vessels or objects, and possible bodily injury to you or others.
Unattended Operation: The vessel must not be left unattended under any circumstances, including when AutoCaptain or dock holding features are active. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vessel, other nearby vessels or objects, and possible bodily injury to you or others.
Docking Preparation: Prior to initiating AutoCaptain docking functions, the captain must ensure that the vessel has been properly prepared, including the placement of fenders and, where appropriate, preparation of lines. Dock Holding feature does not prevent hull contact with the dock and shall not be relied upon as a substitute for proper docking preparation. Failure to properly prepare the vessel for docking may result in damage to your vessel.
Dock Holding: The dock holding feature is intended solely as a temporary stabilization feature designed to assist in holding the vessel in position against a dock while lines are secured. The dock holding feature does not prevent all vessel movement and does not eliminate the possibility of hull contact or damage. Failure to properly secure lines and place fenders in a timely matter may result in damage to your vessel or other nearby vessels or objects.
System Limitations:
AutoCaptain features—including auto-docking, undocking, short-distance maneuvering, and dock holding feature—are limited to detection of above-water obstacles such as vessels, docks, pilings, structures, and other floating objects.
AutoCaptain does not detect shallow water, submerged hazards, underwater obstacles, swimmers, or similar below-waterline risks. The captain is solely responsible for detecting and avoiding such below-waterline conditions and risks. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vessel, below-waterline structures or objects, and possible bodily injury to you or others.
Short-Distance Maneuvering: The short-distance maneuvering function is designed primarily for use in marina environments. Operation of this feature is limited to the area mapped by AutoCaptain based on current camera and sensor visibility. The system will only generate a map of areas within its line of sight, and destinations may be selected only within that mapped area. The extent of map coverage and the vessel’s maneuvering capability may vary materially depending on surrounding objects, environmental factors (including weather conditions such as fog or haze), and available lighting. Because these conditions directly affect visibility and system performance, no maximum distance for short-distance maneuvering is defined or warranted.
AutoCaptain’s ability to counteract wind and current is limited to the capability of the Mercury® Joystick system. In the event that conditions exceed system capability, AutoCaptain will issue an alert and activate the vessel’s dynamic positioning system to maintain position.
System Alerts and Deactivation:
If AutoCaptain is unable to identify a safe and suitable path or determines that a maneuver cannot be completed, the system will:
Automatically disengage the attempted operation;
Activate the vessel’s dynamic positioning system to hold position; and
Provide a notification on the Simrad® device advising the captain that AutoCaptain was unable to complete the requested maneuver.
A mandatory disclaimer and warning pop-up will also appear within the Simrad® user interface each time AutoCaptain is activated, advising the captain of system limitations and safety considerations, and reaffirming that the captain remains responsible for vessel operation at all times.
The captain must be prepared to assume manual control immediately upon any such notification, deactivation, or other system alert. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vessel, other nearby vessels or objects, and possible bodily injury to you, your passengers or others.
