The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word RIVETER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
I
V
E
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result RIVETER
- One using pin to fix note inside flower
- Shipyard work, note, falling into current
- Does it fascinate shipyard worker?
- A hot rod driver
- A hot-rod driver
- Hull worker maybe needs separate row of houses
- E.T. interrupting current worker in a machine shop
- User of guns unloading those into flowing water
- Lena, e.g., takes in the heartless construction worker
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Shipyard work" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shipyard work = riveter.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.