A control system and apparatus for controlling waterjet-driven marine vessels is disclosed. Some aspects allow for generation of a plurality of actuator control signals from a single vessel control signal, such as those provided by vessel control apparatus. A control stick embodiment provides a control apparatus that comprises a shaft moveable in at least one degree of freedom to provide the vessel control signals. Some aspects allow for an intuitive direct movement of the vessel in correspondence to movements of the control apparatus. Yet other aspects allow for locking out on or more degrees of freedom while other degrees of freedom and not locked out.