Saves wrecked vessels (5)
I believe the answer is:
vases
'vessels' is the definition.
(vase is a kind of vessel)
'saves wrecked' is the wordplay.
'wrecked' indicates anagramming the letters.
'saves' with letters rearranged gives 'VASES'.
(Other definitions for vases that I've seen before include "Receptacles for cut flowers" , "Pots for cut flowers" , "Jars for flowers (5)" , "Saves in containers for flowers" , "Open jars for flowers" .)