They’re not attending the lectures on boats (7)

I believe the answer is:

cutters

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'boats' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cutters that I've seen before include "Boats; tailors" , "Scissors, maybe, or fast sailing-ships" , "Sloops" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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