Watercraft facts for kids

A watercraft is a vehicle that can travel on or under the surface of the water. Think of it as any kind of boat or ship! Some watercraft float on top, like boats and ships, while others, like submarines, can dive deep underwater.

Watercraft move in different ways. They can be pushed by a sail using wind, pulled by oars or paddles, or powered by an engine.

A rowboat is an early example of a watercraft

What Are Watercraft Used For?

Watercraft are super useful for many things!

Moving Goods and People

• Transport: Big ships carry all sorts of goods, like food, clothes, and cars, across oceans to different countries. They also help people travel, like on ferries or cruise ships.
• Fishing: Many boats are used by fishing crews to catch fish and other seafood from the ocean, lakes, and rivers.

Fun and Exploration

• Water Sports: Watercraft are a big part of many water sports. This includes racing personal watercraft (like jet skis), sailing, and rowing.
• Leisure: People use boats for fun, like going on a relaxing cruise, fishing with friends, or exploring new places along the coast.
• Exploring the Ocean: Special watercraft like submarines are used to explore the deep ocean. They help scientists learn about marine life and the mysterious parts of the sea.
• Getting Resources: Some watercraft help collect natural resources from the ocean, like oil or gas, or even minerals from the seabed.

Safety and Defense

• Rescue: Lifeboats are special watercraft designed to rescue people who are in danger on the water. They are very important for safety at sea.
• Military: The military uses many types of watercraft, from large warships to submarines, for defense and operations during times of war.

How Watercraft Move

Watercraft use different ways to move through the water. This is called propulsion.

Oars

Oars are long poles with a flat blade at one end. People use them to push against the water, making the boat move forward. Using oars is one of the oldest ways to move a watercraft, like in a rowboat or a canoe.

Sails

A sail is a large piece of strong cloth or material. It is usually attached to a mast on a sailboat. When the wind blows against the sail, it pushes the boat through the water. Sailors use the wind's power to travel long distances.

Engines

An engine is a machine that turns energy into movement. Many modern watercraft use engines.

• Fuel Engines: Most engines in boats and ships burn fuel like natural gas or diesel to create power. This power spins propellers that push the watercraft forward.
• Nuclear Engines: Some very large military watercraft, like certain submarines and aircraft carriers, use nuclear energy to power their engines. This allows them to travel for a very long time without needing to refuel.

Different Kinds of Watercraft

There are many different kinds of watercraft, each designed for a specific purpose.

• Personal watercraft: These are small, fast boats that one or two people can ride, like a jet ski. They are mostly used for sports and fun.
• Pleasure craft: This is a general term for boats used for fun and relaxation, not for work. This includes yachts, small motorboats, and sailboats used for recreation.
• Lifeboat: These are strong, safe boats used to rescue people from danger at sea.
• Ship: A ship is a very large watercraft, much bigger than a boat. Ships are used for long journeys, carrying lots of cargo, or for military purposes.
• Submarine: A submarine is a special watercraft that can travel completely underwater. They are used for military missions, scientific research, and exploring the deep ocean.
• Merchant ship: These are ships used to carry goods (cargo) for trade between different places. They are the backbone of global trade.
• Sailboat: A sailboat is a watercraft that uses sails to move, powered by the wind. They can range from small dinghies to large yachts.

Images for kids

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  Racing scene of a personal watercraft

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  A Severn-class lifeboat in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. This is the largest class of UK lifeboat, at 17 metres long

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  A vessel registration number (located near the top) on a Yamaha SuperJet

See also

In Spanish: Embarcación para niños