Wikipedia
Depot ship
A depot ship is an auxiliary ship used as a mobile or fixed base for submarines, destroyers, minesweepers, fast attack craft, landing craft, or other small ships with similarly limited space for maintenance equipment and crew dining, berthing and relaxation. Depot ships may be identified as tenders in American English. Depot ships may be specifically designed for their purpose or be converted from another purpose.
Usage examples of "depot ship".
He moved morosely around the depot ship's bridge for a few minutes.
The _Hunley_--that's our depot ship--carries experts for working on those things.
As it was he had been delivered to Golse City, triaged and transferred to an Invisible depot ship with only hours to spare.