Boat Types: Beyond Pleasure Craft

A pleasure craft is any vessel, ship, or boat used for pleasure, recreation, or daily living. The most common types of pleasure craft include sports fishing boats, bow riders, deck boats, houseboats, yachts, and sailboats. However, a boat that carries goods or passengers for profit is considered a commercial boat and is subject to different rules and regulations. These commercial boats, or non-pleasure crafts, can include small vessels that carry passengers for a fee, workboats, and commercial fishing vessels. Understanding the difference between pleasure crafts and non-pleasure crafts is essential for boat operators to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and to obtain the necessary licenses or registrations.

Commercial boats that carry goods or passengers for profit

Commercial boats, on the other hand, are used for activities other than pleasure or recreation. They are often referred to as non-pleasure vessels. Commercial boats can be small or large and are used to transport goods, materials, or passengers for profit.

One common type of commercial boat is the cargo ship, also known as a freighter. Cargo ships are typically used to transport goods, materials, or cargo from one port to another. They come in various sizes and are usually equipped with cranes and other mechanisms to load and unload cargo efficiently. General cargo vessels carry a variety of packaged items, including chemicals, food, machinery, and vehicles.

Another type of commercial boat is the passenger ship, which primarily transports passengers. Passenger ships can range from small boats to large vessels capable of carrying thousands of people. They may also be designed to transport both passengers and cargo, such as modern cruise ships.

Other types of commercial boats include tankers, which are designed to transport liquids in bulk, such as petroleum products or chemicals; dry bulk carriers that transport loose, dry cargo like coal, grain, or ore; and multi-purpose vessels that can carry a combination of different types of cargo, such as liquid and general cargo.

Workboats

A pleasure craft is any vessel, ship, or boat that is used only for pleasure or recreation. This includes sports fishing boats, bow riders, deck boats, inboard ski/wakeboard boats, houseboats, pontoon boats, cabin cruisers, yachts, personal watercraft, sailboats, and paddle craft.

A non-pleasure craft, on the other hand, is a vessel that carries goods or passengers for profit. This includes commercial boats, workboats, and commercial fishing vessels. Workboats are a type of non-pleasure craft that are known for their strength, versatility, and reliability. They are used for a wide range of tasks, including offshore wind operations, anchor handling, marine civil construction, aquaculture, dredging, and seagoing towing.

In addition to their functional capabilities, workboats can also offer comfortable accommodations, spacious decks, and large tank capacities. The design and construction of workboats prioritize safety and durability, ensuring that they can withstand challenging environments and working conditions. With a long history in the industry, workboat manufacturers have refined their craft, combining proven heritage with cutting-edge innovation to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

Commercial fishing vessels

Trawlers are vessels designed to use trawl nets to catch large volumes of fish. They can be further categorized into outrigger trawlers, beam trawlers, otter trawlers, pair trawlers, side trawlers, and stern trawlers. Seiners utilize surrounding and seine nets, with specialized gear to target demersal species. Longliners employ long heavy fishing lines with numerous baited hooks, and can be classified as bottom longliners, midwater longliners, freezer longliners, factory longliners, or wet-fish longliners.

Pole and line vessels are used for tuna and skipjack fishing, with fishermen positioned along the railing or on special platforms. Trollers, on the other hand, tow one or more trolling lines behind the vessel, baited with natural or artificial lures. Jiggers are specialized vessels for squid fishing, equipped with strong lamps to attract squid, while cod jiggers use artificial bait and jigging motions.

Dredgers collect molluscs from the seafloor using different types of dredges, while gillnetters use gillnets, a type of net that hangs vertically in the water column. Set netters also employ gillnets but are not attached to the nets during fishing operations. Lift netters, on the other hand, use lift nets held alongside the vessel with the help of outriggers. Trap setters, as the name suggests, set pots or traps to catch fish, crabs, lobsters, and similar species.

In summary, commercial fishing vessels are an essential part of the global fishing industry, providing us with seafood. These vessels vary in design and equipment, each specialized for different fishing methods and types of catch.

Power-driven craft

A power-driven craft is any vessel that is propelled by machinery, whether it be a traditional motorboat, a personal watercraft (like a Jet Ski), or even a submarine. These vessels are not considered pleasure crafts

Human-powered craft

Pleasure craft have distinct rules and regulations from commercial boats, which carry goods or passengers for profit. It's important to differentiate between power-driven craft, human-powered craft, and sail-powered craft because the navigation and equipment rules vary for each type of boat.

Operators of human-powered craft are not required to provide proof of competency, but they must adhere to specific regulations. These crafts must carry certain safety equipment, as outlined in the Small Vessel Regulations and the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide. To ensure compliance with all rules, operators are advised to schedule a Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check before their first voyage.

One of the key regulations for human-powered craft is ensuring visibility in the water. Kayaks and canoes, in particular, should be made more visible to prevent collisions, especially with power vessels that sit higher in the water. Choosing bright colours for the vessel and flotation devices can enhance visibility. Additionally, signalling devices should be kept within reach in case of emergencies. Sea kayakers are advised to stay aware of their surroundings, including water temperatures, tides, currents, wind, and maritime traffic.

Human-powered vessels have specific equipment requirements to ensure the safety of their passengers. These requirements include personal lifesaving appliances such as life jackets, buoyant heaving lines, and reboarding devices. Fire-fighting equipment, visual signals (for vessels over 6 metres in length), navigation equipment, and sound-signalling devices are also necessary.

Frequently asked questions