Refuses to touch vessel in dangerous position (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
black spot
'dangerous position' is the definition.
(as in an accident black spot)
'refuses to touch vessel' is the wordplay.
'refuses to touch' becomes 'blacks' (to black is to boycott or refuse to handle goods).
'vessel' becomes 'pot' (pot is a kind of vessel).
'blacks'+'pot'='BLACK SPOT'
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for black spot that I've seen before include "Trouble for rambler, say" , "Where to replace valuable potted item is" , "which terrified Billy Bones" , "disease?" , "where many accidents occur" .)