Sailor loves to be at sea and free of responsibility (7)
I believe the answer is:
absolve
'free of responsibility' is the definition.
(as in absolving someone of guilt)
'sailor loves to be at sea' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'to be at sea' is an anagram indicator.
'loves' is an anagram of 'solve'.
'ab'+'solve'='ABSOLVE'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for absolve that I've seen before include "Grant pardon for" , "Acquit - free of blame" , "Give pardon" , "Cleanse" , "Excuse" .)