Followers, possibly at sea (4)

I believe the answer is:

dogs

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'followers' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dogs that I've seen before include "Setters, for example" , "Shadows" , "log hearth" , "pets" , "Pursues" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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