also: ふせん
A small boat used to transport goods or passengers between a larger ship and the shore, or along inland waterways.
See also: はしけ
At the port, lighters were carrying cargo from the ship to the quay.
Alternate kanji spelling using 艀 (lighter/barge). Also read ふせん.
Rare on-reading for 艀船; はしけぶね is the usual reading.
Compound of はしけ (lighter/barge) + 船 (boat). The origin of はしけ is uncertain, but it may be related to 橋 (はし, bridge) or a native term for a small boat.