Binnacle

So kiddo, do you know what a boat is? Yes? Great! Now, boats have something called a steering wheel which helps the captain steer the boat in the right direction. And when you steer a boat, you must know where you are going and in which direction, just like when you drive a car.

To help with this, we use something called a binnacle. A binnacle is like a fancy box that sits on the deck of the boat, right in front of the steering wheel. Inside the binnacle, there is a compass which helps the captain know which way the boat is facing.

The reason it needs to be in a special box is because the compass is sensitive to other metals and things nearby. So, by putting it in the binnacle, it is away from other metal objects and can more accurately show which direction the boat is moving.

Think of it like a treasure map that shows you where the treasure is buried. The binnacle is like the map, and the compass inside the binnacle helps steer the boat in the right direction towards the treasure.

So next time you go on a boat, remember to look for the binnacle and the compass inside!