When the ship first comes in, is helpful (7)

I believe the answer is:

assists

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'is helpful' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'when the ship first comes in' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'the ship' becomes 'SS' (prefix in ship names eg SS Great Britain).
'first' becomes 'ist' (ist resembles 1st).
'comes in' indicates putting letters inside.
'ss' enclosing 'ist' is 'sists'.
'as'+'sists'='ASSISTS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assists that I've seen before include "Aids" , "Contributes to success" , "Helps or waits on" , "Provides" , "Lends a hand" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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