Small-type coastal whalers have traditionally hunted minke whales as their main target species; in the course of these hunts, they also took Baird's beaked whales and pilot whales. The small-type coastal whaling vessels are relatively small: all are less than 48 tons and only up to 26 metres long. The harpooner stands at the bow of the vessel to use a 50-mm calibre whaling gun.