Sailor's fate depending on ship's officer (7)

I believe the answer is:

matelot

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'depending on ship's officer' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'sailor's fate' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of sailor).
'fate' becomes 'lot' (synonyms).
'mate'+'lot'='MATELOT'

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(Other definitions for matelot that I've seen before include "A lot met (anag) - sailor" , "seafarer" , "One at sea" , "Rating" , "One sailor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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