A boat used to buy the catch from fishing boats while they are at sea and then sell it at a market.
1919, Edward Perry Churchill, Crab Industry of Chesapeake Bay, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 19:
When the captain is buying crabs on his own responsibility and selling them where he chooses it is styled a “buy boat.”
1982, The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 305:
Each buy boat must have a dealer permit issued under this section.
2007, John Wennersten, The Oyster Wars of Chesapeake Bay, Lulu.com, page 30:
The basket signaled that the captain was buying oysters, and the buy boat was soon surrounded by sailing craft, like a hen with a flock of young chicks.
