I want to be a pirate - sailing

Here are some thoughts I had about sailing.

Combat

• Ships can attack each other at sea. A player can be a voyager that's gaining resources, or they can be a pirate and take the loot of another ship.
• Combat between ships happen via cannons and npc crew members. The bigger the ship, the more cannons it can hold, and the bigger size of 'fighting' crew that it can have. Players have to balance between having an offensive / defensive capability, cargo space for loot, and ship speed variation due to the weight of the loot or cannons. Upon the loss of a battle, a player loses their ship and 'escapes' via a raft (if they have one onboard), or by swimming.
• Life rafts are a last ditch effort for a captain to save some of the crew members or the loot that they gathered.

Skill progression

• As you progress, you gain access to higher tier ship that is bigger and more resilient. The access to the better ship can mean an increase in speed, cargo hold, or ability to withstand or deal damage to other ships.
• Ship crew members. As you progress, you unlock higher level or different npc crew members that join you on your voyage. Crew members are generalists or specialized. Based on your crew members, you can sail faster, gather different resources, or withstand attacks better. Players would hand select crew members based on the mission of the voyage.
• As you progress and become a better captain (gain higher levels), your crew members are less likely to mutiny and throw you overboard.
• As you get access to higher tiered ships, you can add life rafts that can be used to save some of your loot in cases of mutiny or if a pirate destroys your ship.