One in boat notices a mess (8)

I believe the answer is:

canoeist

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'one in boat' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'notices a mess' is the wordplay.
'mess' is an anagram indicator.
'notices'+'a'='noticesa'
'noticesa' anagrammed gives 'CANOEIST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canoeist that I've seen before include "One using light boat" , "Paddler" , "rower" , "sportsman" , "Person who paddles a kayak or suchlike" .)

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