It could but GPS is only accurate to 5m (realistically +-3m is possible). Once it is within range of a loading bay then something else would be required for precise positioning. Probably an optical positioning system is best but there may be some acoustic/ultrasonic system which would work.

Similarly it needs to be doing at least 5mph to get an accurate heading reference either from the GPS module or from the GPS generated difference in latitude/longtitude co-ords. The idea is to calculate a bearing to the desired co-ords from the current co-ords and follow a line on this heading. The steering would be performed by multiplying the difference in heading and bearing by some gain value (proportional control).

On my design I have used an 8-bit processor and I calculate ATAN and SIN/COS with some 24-bit maths subroutines I have written. I am happy to share this code if anyone would like to see it. It is written for PIC micros which I believe is taught in schools these days.

Maybe you could design a system to precisely position a boat in school.