Specifically, it was designed and built to be a stern trawler - a type of fishing boat that uses a large net dragged along the seafloor to catch fish. The Andrea Gail was a robust vessel, equipped with powerful engines and a large deck area to handle the heavy loads of fish it would catch.
It was built to be a reliable and efficient fishing boat that could withstand the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic and contribute to the livelihood of its crew and the fishing industry.