Off in a seaward direction (3)

I believe the answer is:

awa

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'off' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adverbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'in a seaward direction' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'AWA' is hidden in the letters of 'seaward direction'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for awa that I've seen is " The Deil's - wi'th' Exciseman (Burns)".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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