Ship gets note to hang about (6)
I believe the answer is:
linger
'hang about' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'ship gets note' is the wordplay.
'ship' becomes 'liner' (as in an ocean liner).
'gets' indicates putting letters inside (gets can mean captures or absorbs).
'note' becomes 'g' (musical note).
'liner' placed around 'g' is 'LINGER'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for linger that I've seen before include "Delay departure" , "Hang about, don't be in a hurry to go" , "Be slow to go" , "Remain behind" , "Stay behind" .)