Bend over the front of the vessel (3)
I believe the answer is:
bow
This clue is a double definition.
'bend' is the first definition.
(I know that bend is a kind of bend)
'the front of the vessel' is the second definition.
(bow can mean the front of a boat)
'over' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for bow that I've seen before include "Part of London" , "Incline respectfully; a weapon" , "District in East London" , "Bend in obeisance" , "Genuflect" .)