'light vessels' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to ships and other types of vessels that are capable of being carried by the wind or moved on the water without the aid of a motor. For example: "The marina was full of sailing yachts and other light vessels."
102, authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to designate and define by the suitable bearing or range with light houses, light vessels, buoys, or coast objects, the lines dividing the high seas from rivers, harbors, and inland waters.
Besides, at that time they had turned their thoughts to the seas and sailing as far as the Pillars of Hercules in light vessels fitted for that purpose, robbed and destroyed all that trafficked in those parts.
The Norwegian air force includes fighter planes and antiaircraft rocket systems, and the Norwegian navy comprises heavy coastal artillery and light vessels such as gunboats, torpedo boats, submarines, and corvettes.
Small craft advisories were also posted, cautioning light vessels to remain in port.
Several light vessels were destroyed by Greta's gale-force winds and only schooners with little carrying capacity were able to make it to the island.
French naval strategy early in the war was to send squadrons and light vessels to operate along British trade routes, in order to disrupt British mercantile operations.
Put him in the engine room of an old light vessel, and he is in heaven.
Floca's meticulous drawings are based on Light Vessel 87, now docked at the South Street Seaport Museum in Manhattan.
On 1 May, Haecker spotted two old Royal Navy destroyers, and, about 30 nautical miles southwest of the Galloper light vessel.
Whilst returning from one of these missions on 19 January Grenville struck a mine 23 mile east of Kentish Knock Light Vessel.
Pliny's uncle Pliny the Elder was in command of the Roman fleet at Misenum, and had meanwhile decided to investigate the phenomenon at close hand in a light vessel.
