"multi-purpose" and "universal"

[Tate]

Good afternoon, everybody.
I can't differentiate between adjectives "multi-purpose" and "universal". Is there any difference between them? Which one should I use with an ice-breaker, i. e. what is the right variant the multi-purpose or universal ice-breaker?:-?

 

[SoothingDave]

Universal. It's not being used for more than one purpose, it is being used as an ice breaker.

 

[Verona_82]

Universal. It's not being used for more than one purpose, it is being used as an ice breaker.

Icebreakers can be multipurpose too, being capable of fulfilling, for example, firefighting, patrolling, escorting, offshore supply or oil recovery tasks when the ice season is over.

European Oil and Gas

 

[konungursvia]

I would think 'universal' is a superlative for 'multi-purpose.'

 

[SoothingDave]

Icebreakers can be multipurpose too, being capable of fulfilling, for example, firefighting, patrolling, escorting, offshore supply or oil recovery tasks when the ice season is over.

European Oil and Gas

I thought the original poster meant an "ice breaker" meaning a conversation starter. That's why context helps.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would think 'universal' is a superlative for 'multi-purpose.'

I don't think so. Something could be "universal," like this "universal wrench."

Does It Work? Emson Universal Wrench | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News | News Archive

It fits all kinds of bolts. But it only has one purpose, that of being a wrench. Makes a lousy hammer.

 

[konungursvia]

If it fits all bolts, that's more than multiple bolts.

 

[Verona_82]

I thought the original poster meant an "ice breaker" meaning a conversation starter. That's why context helps.

Oh, indeed, the threadstarter could mean a conversation starter!
I used to translate shipbuilding-related articles, that's why such a thought never crossed my mind. :-D

 

[Tate]

I meant a ship that fulfills a number of functions.

 

[JTRiff]

Have to disagree with universal. That means it can break any ice in the world, possibly the entire universe, which it can't. Multi-purpose will have to do for the icebreaking crew.:-o

 

[Verona_82]

I've never seen the word 'universal' used as a characteristic of a vessel. The articles I read dealt mostly with fighting ships, which were usually referred to as multipurpose, sometimes multi-mission and multi-role; scientific, research, survey and other types of non-combat vessels were usually referred to as multipurpose. I guess this charactetistic might be applied to icebreakers as well, considering they are actually capable of performing other tasks apart from their primary one.
I'm not an expert in this; my opinion is based only on what I read in magazines and journals related to the marine industry.