Where ships are lost? (2,3)

I believe the answer is:

at sea

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'are lost?' is the definition.
(both can mean confused or in trouble)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for at sea that I've seen before include "On a ship (out of one's depth?)" , "Sailing off shore" , "Disorganised; bewildered" , "Bewildered on the ocean?" , "disorientated" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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