Possible Clues:

• Seattle mariner, e.g.
• Ex-QPR and England goalkeeper
• Around morning John is one of the crew
• Perhaps one of 8 down not working on shore
• How John gets around his mother to be on board
• He may be able-bodied
• Navy recruit
• After the border comes an other one on board
• Billy Budd, for one
• On the border, an individual on the ocean