A well-boat is a fishing vessel with a well or tank for the storage and transport of live fish. The term well-boat or well smack was first used in the 17th century.[1] Before modern refrigeration methods, well-boats allowed for the delivery of live fish to port.
Contemporary well-boats are used in the extensive aquaculture industry.[2] [3] These vessels can be used to transport smolt to sea, to bring them from aquaculture sites for processing and to sort and delouse fish.
A well-boat can also refer to a mullet boat or skiff, a small (shallow) draft recreational fishing boat with an outboard motor in a well in the middle of boat.[4]