A vessel that is being propelled by both sail and engine is classified as what type of vessel?

A vessel that is propelled by both sail and engine is classified as a power-driven vessel. This classification is based on the fact that the presence of an engine allows the vessel to operate under mechanical power, regardless of the additional propulsion provided by sails.

In maritime terminology, a “power-driven vessel” refers to any vessel that uses machinery to propel itself, which includes those utilizing a combination of sail and engine. The definition encompasses a wide variety of vessels, including those that may predominantly use sails for propulsion but can switch to engine power when necessary. This is critical for understanding navigational rules and regulations that apply to different types of vessels, especially in terms of right-of-way and safety on the water.

Other classifications, such as sailing vessel or motorboat, would not accurately capture the hybrid nature of propulsion found in this scenario. A sailing vessel primarily relies on sails for movement, while a motorboat implies a vessel designed predominantly for engine propulsion without consideration for sails. Thus, the most accurate classification for a vessel using both sail and engine is indeed that of a power-driven vessel.