Visit our Popular Forums

Carlisle Spirit · 14-10-2012, 17:33

Singapore's Port Authority specifies that a boat is less than 20 metres and if its more than 20 metres it's a ship

(We like to be clear about things here )

Carlisle Spirit

DumnMad · 16-10-2012, 01:02

I've got a boat which is also a ship; it carries a boat(dinghy) & it leans out when turning, its also a yacht, its also a ketch and its also a motor-sailer. It does need a crew so it must be a ship, but hang on, if I was more experienced it wouldn't, so it must be a boat.
I think I'll be humble, accept the 20m rule and call it a boat, but, when we go sailing I'll call it a yacht.

ArtM · 16-10-2012, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir G

When in doubt, as a non-English speaker, I usually check my New Shorter Oxford dictionary:

boat: 1 A small open vessel propelled by oars, engine, or sail. Also (coloq., esp. among submariners), a submarine. OE. b Any small or distinctive kind of vessel, esp. a fishing-vessel, mail packet, ferry, or small steamer. Also (chiefly US) a large seagoing vessel.

ship: 1 A large seagoing vessel propelled by sail or engine (cf. BOAT n.); spec. a sailing vessel with a bowsprit and three, four or five square-rigged masts.

so I checked vessel, and guess what:

vessel: A ship or boat, now usu. one of larger size; a craft

My guess is that the two words come from different backgrounds and have probably passed through many different phases of common usage in different times and parts of the world, thus there is no definitive distinction between them.

GaryMayo · 17-10-2012, 00:59

If we own it, it's a boat

If a well to do person owns it, it's a yacht

If a big business or government owns it, it's a ship.

SurferShane · 17-10-2012, 04:00

A ship is registered as such on the Register of Ships? Therefore, most "boats" with international registration are in fact "ships" including my little sailing yacht.

Micheldawes · 22-06-2014, 01:12

I was always taught at maritime college, that a ship was called a ship when she was able to lift and to lower her own lifeboats. Hope this helps...

kas_1611 · 22-06-2014, 01:40

Ok to just mix it up a little here.....

What do you call a floating offshore Drilling Rig?

Officially when it is latched up to the wellhead it is a marine obstruction but the moment it unlatches it must switch on navigation lights and is classed as a ship. However you try spotting the nav lights amongst all the other lights.

Generally the end (or side) with the helideck is classified as the bow which is useful to know when she's a square design rig but as always there are exceptions. If all else fails try to look for the accommodations and the bridge.

Mind you modern dynamically positioned drill ships are easy, they are bloody big ships with a bloody big derrick in the middle and bloody big engines in the stern.

Keiron

captain58sailin · 22-06-2014, 11:17

I once had this conversation with an ex Navy friend of mine, his opinion was anything over 50 meters was considered a ship in the navy. I've always heard a ship has boats aboard. I like Mike's definition best too.

Nicholson58 · 22-06-2014, 18:28

Our 58' Camper Nicholson is a Lloyd's Registered ship. We put the dinghy on board.

**Dockhead** · 24-06-2014, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Our 58' Camper Nicholson is a Lloyd's Registered ship. We put the dinghy on board.

My boat is on the UK registry of ships, complete with official Thames Measure displacement of 31 95/100 Registered Tonnes. She carries a 25-horsepower RIB in davits. But she's not any kind of ship - she's a regular sailboat.

robert sailor · 24-06-2014, 09:27

We are anchored in northern Sardinia beside the sailing vessel "Dilbar" all 360 feet owned by a very rich Russian (18 billion US dollars) I would say its not a boat.

Canibul · 24-06-2014, 09:50

Mine's a boat when I'm arranging dockage by the foot.

It's a ship when I'm mouthing off at Happy Hour.

deckofficer · 24-06-2014, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by kas_1611

Ok to just mix it up a little here.....

What do you call a floating offshore Drilling Rig?

Officially when it is latched up to the wellhead it is a marine obstruction but the moment it unlatches it must switch on navigation lights and is classed as a ship. However you try spotting the nav lights amongst all the other lights.

Generally the end (or side) with the helideck is classified as the bow which is useful to know when she's a square design rig but as always there are exceptions. If all else fails try to look for the accommodations and the bridge.

Mind you modern dynamically positioned drill ships are easy, they are bloody big ships with a bloody big derrick in the middle and bloody big engines in the stern.

Keiron

Below is the Noble Paul Wolff at transit ballast. 32,000 ton, (6) 5000 hp electric thrusters.

Starboard side of the bridge.

Yours truly...