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What Is a Watercraft?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

A watercraft is any vessel that is designed to travel through water. This category will include boats, ships, personal watercraft (PWC), canoes, and so on. The term is a broad definition, while the individual types of craft serve a more specific definition; a ship, for example, is a large vessel that is prepared for use on the ocean, while a boat is a smaller craft intended for use on still water, oceans, or other bodies of water. Boats are small enough to fit on a ship.

The smallest watercraft category is the PWC, which may include jet skis and waverunners, or any other type of vessel intended for use by one person. A PWC is usually powered by an engine, and rather than sitting inside the vessel as in a boat, a person will stand or sit on top of the PWC. Local or regional laws may address the proper use and ownership of a personal watercraft, and safety procedures must be taken when using a PWC. Life vests should be used at all times when riding on a PWC, and a person should be familiar with proper operation of the craft.

Submarines such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class are watercraft designed for underwater operations.
Submarines such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class are watercraft designed for underwater operations.

Ships are the largest category of watercraft, and perhaps one of the broadest. Large, ocean-going vessels may be propelled through a variety of means: some are wind-driven with sails, while others are propeller-driven with different types of engines turning the propeller. The purposes of these ships can vary significantly as well: some are cargo ships designed for hauling goods over long distances, while others are for recreation, such as cruise ships. Military vessels include aircraft carriers, battleships, and so on. It may be difficult to tell the difference between a ship and a boat, and in some cases it is impossible, though in some regions of the world, laws will dictate the difference between the two as well as the activities that are approved for each type of watercraft.

The U.S. Coast Guard's Defender class harbor patrol boats are designed for use in shallow and coastal waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard's Defender class harbor patrol boats are designed for use in shallow and coastal waters.

Submarines are perhaps the most difficult watercraft to categorize. Small, early models were called boats because of their size, while larger, nuclear-powered subs are large enough to be classified as ships. The definitive label can vary by country or region, and laws do exist to regulate the use of such vessels. Submarines can float on the water and they can operate while submerged beneath the water; the vessel is entirely enclosed, with all passengers and crew working within the ship.

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    • Submarines such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class are watercraft designed for underwater operations.
      By: iruhsa
      Submarines such as the Soviet/Russian Typhoon class are watercraft designed for underwater operations.
    • The U.S. Coast Guard's Defender class harbor patrol boats are designed for use in shallow and coastal waters.
      By: Wimbledon
      The U.S. Coast Guard's Defender class harbor patrol boats are designed for use in shallow and coastal waters.
    • A sailboat is a type of watercraft.
      By: frog-travel
      A sailboat is a type of watercraft.
    • Many cargo ships haul goods over long distances.
      By: il-fede
      Many cargo ships haul goods over long distances.
    • Aircraft carriers are a form of military watercraft designed to carry military aircraft, weapons, and personnel.
      By: Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet
      Aircraft carriers are a form of military watercraft designed to carry military aircraft, weapons, and personnel.
    • Native American groups used small watercraft, such as canoes, to trade along the small rivers and streams that feed into larger river systems.
      By: Shchipkova Elena
      Native American groups used small watercraft, such as canoes, to trade along the small rivers and streams that feed into larger river systems.
    • Jet skis, which are also called waverunners, are the smallest category of powered personal watercraft.
      By: Wimbledon
      Jet skis, which are also called waverunners, are the smallest category of powered personal watercraft.