Friend with a way of helping you get around the ship (9)
I believe the answer is:
companion
'friend' is the definition.
(I know that companion is a type of friend)
'a way of helping you get around the ship' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found within the answer.
'way' could be 'n' (Compass direction - North) and 'n' is found within the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found within the answer.
'around' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for companion that I've seen before include "Fellow traveller" , "Ladder" , "Frequent associate" , "Person who lives or travels with you" , "Mate (maybe of honour!)" .)