boat; watercraft
A somewhat formal or technical term for small to medium-sized vessels, often used in news reports, official documents, or military contexts. Covers a range of boats and small ships.
The rescue team headed to the disaster area by boat.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's watercraft are conducting exercises.
The crew piloted the boat toward the island.
The boat docked safely.
The unit landed on the beach by boat.
ボート is a loanword for small recreational or rowing boats, whereas 舟艇 is a broader, more formal term that can include military or patrol craft.
counter for ships · counter for one half of a pair · counter for bundles (archaic)
landing craft
Compound of 舟 (small boat) and 艇 (boat, small ship). Both kanji independently mean 'boat', and their combination reinforces the meaning of a small to medium-sized watercraft.