a small boat that is used for transporting people or goods from the land to a larger boat or from the larger boat to the land:
The cruise ship anchored offshore, and passengers boarded the tender to reach the mainland.
The tender ferried goods and supplies from the larger vessel to the remote island.
In coastal areas, tenders play a crucial role in transporting people and cargo to and from larger ships.
The captain skillfully maneuvered the tender to ensure a smooth transfer of passengers.
