The boats neared more slowly than they rushed toward the planet.

As the boat neared the riverbank, people came out of their huts to stare at the little boat's strange cargo.

And when his boat neared the landing, it was they who moved in to surround him.

As the boat neared the land, seven hooded figures rose from around the fire and advanced in a line towards the shore.

As his log-themed boat neared the top of the chute, the boy began to panic and stood up to reach a railing.

Ninety minutes later, as the boat neared the pier, a police helicopter also began to follow.

"I shouldn't have asked it of you," he said as the boat neared Ellis Island.

The boat is nearing completion and is expecting to be in the water and under going testing at the end of 2012.

The boat neared Manaar Island, which was rounded to the south.

The relentless hunt by anti-submarine forces and air elements continued; indeed, it seemed to increase in intensity as the boat neared its home base.