pilot-boat

A pilot-boat guides the large ship safely into the harbor.

Definition

Noun: - pilot-boat refers to a small, sturdy vessel used to transport a maritime pilot to and from ships that are entering or leaving a port. It is typically fast and maneuverable, designed to operate in coastal or harbor waters.

Usage Examples

• (A boat carrying a harbor pilot to guide the larger vessel.)
• (The small boat completed its task of transporting the pilot.)

Advanced Usage

• "to dispatch a pilot-boat": to send out a pilot-boat to a waiting ship.

  • The harbor master dispatched a pilot-boat to the tanker anchored offshore. (The port authority sent the small boat to deliver a pilot.)

• "pilot-boat crew": the sailors who operate the pilot-boat.

  • The pilot-boat crew are experienced in rough sea conditions. (The team handling the pilot-boat is skilled in maritime navigation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pilot (n): a person qualified to steer ships into or out of a port or through dangerous waters.

  • The pilot boarded the ship from the pilot-boat. (The expert navigator used the small boat for transfer.)

• Boat (n): a small vessel for traveling on water.

  • The pilot-boat is a specialized type of boat. (It is a specific kind of watercraft.)

Synonyms

• Launch: a large motorboat used for transporting people or goods (often used for pilots).
• Harbor craft: a general term for small vessels operating in a port.

Related Idioms