Vessel’s end of week scandal? (7)

I believe the answer is:

frigate

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'vessel's' is the definition.
(frigate is a kind of vessel)

'end of week scandal?' is the wordplay.
'end of week' becomes 'fri' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'scandal?' becomes 'gate' (as in Watergate and other formations).
'fri'+'gate'='FRIGATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for frigate that I've seen before include "Warship; -- bird" , "Naval escort vessel" , "Light warship" , "Ship" , "US warship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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