Rescue vessel (8)
I believe the answer is:
lifeboat
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">rescue vessel</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(boat which rescues people)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for lifeboat that I've seen before include "It's used to rescue people at sea" , "Take to it if the ship is sinking" , "Sea rescue craft" , "needed if ship sinks" , "I bet loaf on maritime rescue vessel" .)