Writer and French sailor getting through (11)
I believe the answer is:
penetrating
'getting through' is the definition.
('penetrate' can be a synonym of 'get through')
'writer and french sailor' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'pen' (something which writes).
'and french' becomes 'et' ('and' in French).
'sailor' becomes 'rating' (British term for a naval enlisted man).
'pen'+'et'+'rating'='PENETRATING'
(Other definitions for penetrating that I've seen before include "Acute" , "Boring - keen" , "Incisive" , "Going through" .)