U3 - where are the ships?

Hi all,

Been playing Ultima 3 from the Ultima Collection. The pirate ships seem to
have disappeared and I now need one to continue my quest.

Is there a good place on the coast to stand and wait for a pirate ship to
appear? Or is there a finite number of ships available, after which you have
to restart?

Please help. This has been driving me up the wall for ages!

TIA,,
John