The traditional answer is that a boat is small enough to be carried on board a ship. this isn't a bad definition, but it isn't perfect: * navy submarines are traditionally called boats no matter their size * modern heavy lift ships can carry oth.... Job description of a ship captain. a ship captains’ duties vary a little according to the type of vessel he or she commands. for example, there are ship captains, ferry boat captains, tug boat captains, and charter boat captains.. The navy describes a ship as sea going vessel. the exception is the submarine which is a boat. there does seem to be a size factor, my 30 footer is considered a blue water boat, it has been down the east coast, but it is still a boat even though i carry a dinghy on it..
So, when does a boat become a ship? according to the uscg, if it is over 65' - it could be a ship, but it is left up to "common sense" identy. in most every case, if it is a ship - you will know it when you see it - and i think we all do.. A ship can carry a boat. a boat cannot carry a ship. peter brooke, by kinmuck, scotland a ship is large enough to have boats hanging along its sides. however, ferries are always boats but nowadays. When it gets an inflated ego. seriously though, legal definition: among sailing vessels, the distinction between ships and boats is that a ship is a square-rigged craft with at least three masts, and a boat isn't..