Crossword Genius

The one left in a vessel who can set a course? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pilot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'set a course?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'the one left in a vessel' is the wordplay.
'the one' becomes 'I' (Roman numeral).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a vessel' becomes 'pot' (type of container).
'i'+'l'='il'
'il' inserted into 'pot' is 'PILOT'.

'who can' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pilot that I've seen before include "One who brings a vessel into port" , "He steers ship or plane" , "Plane operator" , "air traffic controller?" , "Steer, test (scheme)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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