noun
whale catcher; catcher boat
A vessel used in whaling to chase and harpoon whales, often working in conjunction with a factory ship.
from English catcher boat
キャッチャーボートが鯨を発見し、母船に知らせた。
The catcher boat spotted a whale and notified the mother ship.
Variant with interpunct; less common but still encountered.
Borrowed from English 'catcher boat'.