ABSTRACT
There will be very few children living in the United Kingdom who have never seen a boat or ship of some kind, even if it is only a paddle boat in the local park. Those whose settings are in coastal areas, near ports or near harbours will have heard and seen ocean-going liners, ferries, cargo boats and sailing yachts on a regular basis. Those who live near lakes, canals or rivers, too, will have had the opportunity to see motorboats and narrowboats. Some will have been to the seaside on holiday and others will have travelled to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, France or Ireland on a ferry. For others, ships will mean working vessels, such as fishing boats leaving late at night and returning in the early morning with their catch.
