DESCRIZIONE
A proximity sensor system on a marine vessel (10) includes one or more proximity sensors (72, 74, 76, 78), each at a sensor location on the marine vessel (10) and configured to measure proximity of objects and generate proximity measurements (90). A processor (70) is configured to store a two-dimensional vessel outline (80) of the marine vessel (10) with respect to a point of navigation (Pn) for the marine vessel (10), receive the proximity measurements (90) measured by one or more proximity sensors (72, 74, 76, 78) on the marine vessel (10), and identify four linearly-closest proximity measurements (90+x, 90-x, 90+y, 90-y) to the two-dimensional vessel outline (80), including one closest proximity measurement in each of a positive X direction, a negative X direction, a positive Y direction, and a negative Y direction. The processor (70) then generates a most important object (MIO) dataset identifying the four linearly-closest proximity measurements (90+x, 90-x, 90+y, 90-y). [Image Omitted]