Vivacious agent going round lifeboat (6)
I believe the answer is:
sparky
'vivacious agent going round lifeboat' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'agent going round lifeboat' is the wordplay.
'agent' becomes 'spy' (spy is a kind of agent).
'going round' is an insertion indicator (some letters go around others).
'lifeboat' becomes 'ark'.
'spy' placed around 'ark' is 'SPARKY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sparky that I've seen before include "Spirited" , "Lively, high-spirited" , "Clever and enjoyable to be with" , "jaunty" .)