Preserved vessel lost power (7)
I believe the answer is:
candied
'preserved' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'vessel lost power' is the wordplay.
'vessel' becomes 'can' (type of container).
'lost power' becomes 'died' (I've seen this in another clue).
'can'+'died'='CANDIED'
(Other definitions for candied that I've seen before include "sweet" , "Sugared" , "Encrusted with sugar" , "preserved" , "Sugar-coated" .)