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When does a boat become a ship?

Question

What’s the difference between a boat and a ship? When does a boat become a ship?
Dave, Battersea

Answer

** Definitive **
Name: Bob, Wimbledon
Qualification: I’m in shipping
Answer: I used to work for the Chamber of Shipping and the guy who ran it told me that 500 dead-weight tonnes becomes a ship or vessel. A boat is anything under 500 dead-weight tonnes.

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