Vessel one has to steer around a lot (7)
I believe the answer is:
steamer
'vessel' is the definition.
(steamer is a kind of vessel)
'steer around a lot' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'lot' becomes 'm'.
'a'+'m'='am'
'steer' enclosing 'am' is 'STEAMER'.
'one has to' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for steamer that I've seen before include "Vessel at sea or in kitchen" , "housed in galley" , "Ship; saucepan" , "Boat; type of saucepan" , "Vessel housing galley" .)