Crossword Genius

Shelters at sea protecting scoundrel, who benefits (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wheelhouses

'shelters at sea' is the definition.
(a wheelhouse is a shelter on a ship)

'protecting scoundrel who benefits' is the wordplay.
'protecting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are held or protected).
'scoundrel' becomes 'heel' (heel can mean a scoundrel or villain).
'benefits' becomes 'uses' (I've seen this in another clue).
'heel' put inside 'who' is 'wheelho'.
'wheelho'+'uses'='WHEELHOUSES'

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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