Common resources may see sailing vessel return (5)
I believe the answer is:
pools
'common resources' is the definition.
(e.g. collectively shared funds)
'sailing vessel return' is the wordplay.
'sailing vessel' becomes 'sloop' (sloop is a kind of sailing vessel).
'return' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'sloop' reversed gives 'POOLS'.
'may see' is the link.
(Other definitions for pools that I've seen before include "Small areas of still water" , "See 1 down" , "still waters" .)