Sort of knot ship captains may not appreciate (4)
I believe the answer is:
reef
'sort of knot' is the definition.
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reef that I've seen before include "offshore bank" , "The sort of knot" , "Free (anag.)" , "Atoll protector" , "Ridge of rock underwater" .)