Possible Clues:

• Maritime skill
• Sailor's skill
• Article has wrong emphasis about ocean-going craft
• Ocean-going craft?
• Close to mine in his sampan, exercised nautical skills
• Names a cocktail opening seedy joint with the type of skill one needs if they're taking a punt?
• What those going overseas need for the main literary manuscript about article in Vogue!
• Sailing skills
• Is he working with sampan, requiring this?
• Misplaced emphasis about an ability needed by people on board