Many people will use the two terms (vessel and boat) interchangeably, confusing few people in differentiating between them. In this article, we will walk you through the difference between a vessel and a boat to clear your doubt.
The difference between the vessel and a boat is that the vessel is any floating object (boat, ship, barge, kayak, canoe, raft, etc.) used for the carriage of people or goods, whereas the boat is usually referred to as a smaller vessel. So, every boat is a vessel, but every vessel is not a boat.
Moreover, the vessel is like a parent with a boat, sailboat, ship, barge, kayak, canoe, etc., as children. And the boat is defined as a smaller craft or vessel (in terms of length). So, the vessel is the head of the category, and the boat is a subcategory of the vessel (a different variant among vessels).
The word vessel refers to any floating object that carries passengers or cargo, and that includes
- Boat (regardless of propulsion type)
- Ship
- Yacht
- Barge
- Sailboat
- Kayak
- Canoe
- Raft
- Personal Watercrafts (Jetski, Sea-Doo, WaveRunner)
- Lifeboats
- Dinghy
The term “boat” refers to any smaller vessels, and there are so many types of boats, and we will now see them.
- Fishing boats (inshore and offshore)
- Deck boats
- Jetboats
- Pontoon Boats
- Lifeboats
- Houseboats
- Bowrider boats
- Cuddy Cabin boats
- Cabin Cruiser boats
- Center Console boats
- Dual Console boats
- Sailboats
- Catamarans
- Trawlers
- Motor Yachts
- Airboat
And the list goes on. Check on this Wikipedia page to know more about the types of vessels in a detailed way. We also have written some articles on a few of them, and you can search them on this site at the top right corner. Okay, now let’s continue with the article.
According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (by IMO), the word “vessel” includes every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, propelled by an engine or not, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
So, any floating object that is used to carry passengers or goods is considered a vessel. Since the boat is also used to carry passengers or goods or for recreational purposes, it is considered as a vessel along with the ship, barge, sailboat, kayak, canoe, raft, etc.
Did You Know? Even Personal Watercraft (Jetskis) are also considered vessels. However, the official definition of a personal watercraft varies from state to state.
Still, they are generally recognized as vessels that use an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and are designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel.
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There was one exception for rafts considering them as vessels in the past. American and British 19th-Century maritime law distinguished “vessels” from other craft; ships and boats fall in one legal category, whereas open boats and rafts are not considered vessels (source – Wiki).
Finally, every floating object that is used to carry passengers or cargo is known as a vessel. Consider it (vessel) as a catchy term to represent any floating object that is used to carry passengers or cargo. But every vessel is not a boat. Boat refers to “a relatively small waterborne vessel.”
Whereas a vessel can be of any length from as small as a canoe to as big as a ship. That being said, we will now see why boats are called vessels and the history behind that term.
Why Is Boat Called A Vessel? (The History)
A boat is called a vessel because it is a floating object used to carry cargo or passengers. By definition, a vessel is anything that is floating (object) and used for the carriage of people or goods. So, a boat is called a vessel, along with ships, sailboats, barges, canoes, kayaks, etc.
Since a vessel is anything that can float and can be steered/moved, either by own means or by other means, a boat is called a vessel. So do ships, barges, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, etc. Craft is also similar to the word “vessel” but mostly referred to small boats, whereas a vessel can be anything regardless of the size.
Vessel – The word “vessel” comes from the Old French vessel, which meant a container. The Old French vessel also refers to a ship. The same word came from the Latin vascellum, which refers to a small vase and a ship (source).
The term “vessel” has a number of different meanings, yet all of them relate in some way to liquids and transportation.
Nowadays, a vessel is a catchall term to describe a floating object used for the carriage of people or goods. Hence, vessel refers to ships, boats, canoes, or any watercraft. It has also been defined as any craft that is capable of floating and moving on water.
A boat is defined as a small craft or vessel designed to float on and provide transport over water. The vessel is a broad definition that includes anything such as a jet ski or even a large ship. Some define it further as a vessel with a hull, as opposed to a life raft. “Boat” is also a naval slang term for a submarine of any size.
Is Boat Considered A Vessel? A boat is considered a vessel because anything that can float and can be steered/moved, either by own means or by other means, is known as a vessel. Boats have the same characteristics, so boats are also considered and called vessels, along with ships, barges, kayaks, etc.
The Key Takeaways From The Post
The difference between the boat and a vessel is that the vessel is any floating object (ship, barge, sailboat, boat, kayak, canoe, raft, etc.) used for the carriage of people or goods, whereas the boat is usually referred to as a smaller vessel. So, every boat is a vessel, but every vessel is not a boat.
Moreover, the vessel is like a parent with a boat, sailboat, ship, barge, kayak, canoe, etc., as children. And the boat is defined as a smaller craft or vessel (in terms of length). So, the vessel is the head of the category, and the boat is a subcategory of the vessel (a different variant among vessels).
A boat is called a vessel because it is a floating object used to carry cargo or passengers. By definition, a vessel is anything that is floating (object) and used for the carriage of people or goods. So, a boat is called a vessel, along with ships, sailboats, barges, canoes, kayaks, etc.
Since a vessel is anything that can float and can be steered/moved, either by own means or by other means, a boat is called a vessel. So do ships, barges, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, etc. Craft is also similar to the word “vessel” but mostly referred to small boats, whereas a vessel can be anything regardless of the size.