The boat was basically a large flat open tub, not much more than a 
life raft, with some controls in the bow and some sort of modern and hence 
negligibly small propulsion system built into the stern. As their eyes adjusted 
to the dim light scattering through the fog, they could see perhaps a dozen 
other passengers around the edge of the boat, seated so that wakes from passing 
vessels would not upset them. Seeing wisdom in this, John led Fiona to the only 
remaining open space, and they sat down between two other groups: a trio of 
young Nipponese men forcing cigarettes on one another, and a man and woman in 
bohemian-but-expensive clothes, sipping lager from cans and conversing in 
Canadian accents.