Thanks! The hints helped, although waiting around would have done the same trick.

Back to the game now!

I am also stuck on the boat, but I haven't gotten my items back yet. I hope I am not being too impatient but I don't see anything that I can do and the captain won't leave his desk. I assume my items are in his room, because there is no where else I haven't looked. I would really like my items back ...