Small group of ships or boats (8)
I believe the answer is:
flotilla
I believe this is a double definition.
'small group of ships' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'boats' is the second definition.
(I have seen 'many boats' mean 'flotilla' so perhaps 'boats' could also mean 'flotilla')
(Other definitions for flotilla that I've seen before include "Fleet of small vessels" , "Small group of ships" , "Fleet of small ships" , "number of vessels" , "many boats" .)