Possible Clues:

• Kindergarten friend who's done well at sea?
• It's not the skipper that's never been married before
• Second in command on ship, like primary spouse
• Right hand
• Never before has the skipper had a bride on board for him
• New wife of an officer never been married on board before
• Never been married before to the officer on board
• No spouse before this one for this officer
• The officer has never been married before on board
• 'Never been married before on board (5,4)'