ship

Ship – any large buoyant watercraft. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing, entertainment, public safety, and warfare.

• Main parts of ship (diagram). 1: Smokestack or Funnel; 2: Stern; 3: Propeller and Rudder; 4: Portside (the right side is known as starboard); 5: Anchor; 6: Bulbous bow; 7: Bow; 8: Deck; 9: Superstructure

In the age of sail, a “ship” was a sailing vessel with at least three square-rigged masts and a full bowsprit; other types of vessel were also defined by their sailplan, e.g. barque, brigantine, etc.

The first ships – Egyptians were among the earliest ship builders. The oldest pictures of boats that have ever been found are Egyptian, on vases and in graves. These pictures, at least 6000 years old, show long, narrow boats. The boats were paddled along. They were mostly made of papyrus reeds. The Egyptians used their ships to trade with other countries around the Mediterranean sea.

• galley

What’s the problem?
Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Louis S. St. Laurent (pdf), vessel details

• Canandian Coast Guard Icebreakers – vessels available to support the Icebreaking Services, including heavy icebreakers, light icebreakers, ice strengthened vessels and air cushion vehicles.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy – operations include scientific missions to map the Arctic seafloor