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Shipyard features petticoat routines (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slipways

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'shipyard features' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'petticoat routines' is the wordplay.
'petticoat' becomes 'slip' (I've seen this in another clue).
'routines' becomes 'ways' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'slip'+'ways'='SLIPWAYS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slipways that I've seen before include "where docks 4" , "From which boats are launched" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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