A flotilla is a formation or fleet of small ships or boats, often used in a naval context. It typically consists of a group of small warships that form part of a larger fleet, and can include classes of vessels such as frigates, destroyers, submarines, or gunboats. A flotilla is often commanded by a naval officer and may be divided into smaller units known as divisions. The term is also used outside of military contexts to describe a small fleet of vessels moving together, including commercial or recreational boats. For example, in non-military settings, a flotilla can refer to a group of chartered yachts sailing together or local organizational units in entities like the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
In recent events, the term flotilla has been used for groups of civilian boats, such as the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is an international initiative of dozens of vessels carrying activists and humanitarian aid aiming to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
