Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small boat carried on or towed by a ship, used for transporting people or goods between the ship and the shore, or for other utility purposes while the main vessel is anchored or moored.

Usage

• The term "ship's boat" specifically refers to the smaller vessel belonging to and serving a larger ship. It is used for tasks where deploying the main ship is impractical, such as ferrying crew, conducting inspections, or carrying supplies.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The captain ordered the launch of the ship's boat to pick up the pilot from the harbor.
  • During the age of sail, a ship's boat was essential for landing parties and collecting fresh water.

Advanced Usage

• Historically, types of ship's boats (like the longboat, jolly boat, or cutter) were often named based on their size and function. In modern contexts, the term can encompass rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) or other tenders carried by naval, research, or cruise ships.
• The phrase "to take to the ship's boats" can describe the emergency abandonment of a vessel using its lifeboats, though "lifeboat" is now the more precise term for that purpose.

Variants and Related Words

• Tender: A broader modern term for a vessel that services a larger one.
• Launch: Often used for a larger motor-powered ship's boat.
• Dinghy: A general term for a small boat, sometimes used as a ship's boat on yachts.
• Lifeboat: A ship's boat specifically designed and equipped for emergency evacuation.

Synonyms

• Tender
• Pinnace (historical)
• Jolly boat (historical)
• Ship's tender

Notes

• "Ship's boat" is a compound noun. The definition provided focuses on the complete term. Its function is distinct from the main ship itself. It is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or as a phrasal verb.

Noun

1. a boat for communication between ship and shore