Sailor has the answer? Forgiveness? (10)
I believe the answer is:
absolution
'forgiveness?' is the definition.
(absolution is release from guilt)
'sailor has the answer?' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'has' says to put letters next to each other.
'the answer?' becomes 'solution' (synonyms).
'ab'+'solution'='ABSOLUTION'
(Other definitions for absolution that I've seen before include "Release from guilt" , "pardon" , "acquittal" , "Forgiveness" , "discharge" .)