The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ASTROLABE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
S
T
R
O
L
A
B
E
More clues leading to the result ASTROLABE
- American left a flashing light outside as a navigator's aid
- Instrument area with flashing light around LA
- Navigational device – there – surrounded by a flashing light
- Measuring device in a store rebuilt outside research site
- Old instrument, a sort able to move around
- Observational device: research facility invested in 4, possibly
- Outside workroom store a broken instrument no longer used
- Old navigational aid for a short amble to Lincoln
- Albatrosses at sea abandoned ship with an old navigation instrument
- Help with navigation? Boats are wrecked crossing lake!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Help with navigation?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case help with navigation? = astrolabe.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ASTROLABE mean?
ASTROLABE noun- An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars.