Some characters on board splash or escape to the beach (6)
I believe the answer is:
ashore
'the beach' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'some characters on board splash or escape' is the wordplay.
'some characters on board' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some letters on board or carried by the clue).
'ASHORE' can be found hidden inside 'splash or escape'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ashore that I've seen before include "Onto land (from the water)" , "Hoarse (anag)" , "On(to) dry land" , "Going on land from sea" , "Toward land from the sea" .)