Early sailor had to climb down when he landed (4)

I believe the answer is:

noah

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'early sailor' is the definition.
'noah' can be an answer for 'sailor' (from bible: Noah's Ark). I'm not certain of the 'early' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for noah that I've seen before include "Oh, an ark man" , "He built an ark" , "Early boatman" , "Biblical builder of great ship" , "Hebrew patriarch who survived the Flood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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