Good for him! When I was about 11 years old I would sometimes skip school for a day and my Dad would take me down to Southampton on a steam train from Surbiton and we would walk down to the docks. When one of the Queens was in you could get a docks pass to view the ship from the Ocean Terminal but in fact, once through the dock gate you could go anywhere you liked unchallenged. (innocent days!). I saw many of the famous ocean liners alongside and sailing, there ware also the cross channel ferries, banana boats, freighters and interesting ships in dry dock, including on one occasion a Tribal class frigate. We'd finish off by taking the ferry over to Hythe Pier for fish and chips in the cafe.
It was fascinating and sparked my interest in all things nautical. It was quite something when over 50 years later we sailed on QM2 from the Ocean Dock where the old Queens (and indeed the Titanic) sailed from.
My educashun didn't suffer as a result! But my life experience was definitely enhanced.
Colin