Skipper could be satanic ape unfortunately (3,7)

I believe the answer is:

sea captain

'skipper' is the definition.
('sea captain' can be a synonym of 'skipper')

'satanic ape unfortunately' is the wordplay.
'unfortunately' indicates an anagram.
'satanic'+'ape'='satanicape'
'satanicape' with letters rearranged gives 'SEA CAPTAIN'.

'could be' acts as a link.

(Another definition for sea captain that I've seen is " Cook was one".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app