You're out there sailing, comfortably spaced away from the enemies.
Suddenly your ship indicators scream that you are being attacked and taking much damage. It isn't possible, there is only one ship near you and that ship is another pirate.
You have two seconds to look again and see that, yes, it was a pirate ship.
It's some kind of hack. We tried to go up against them using several fury shooting pirates. That was not enough.
They are blocking the port at Abass and you want to get out and sink the quality ships near Cutthroat and Kingshead.
Here's your trick.
Launch from Port Royal. Sail Southeast and sail around Kingshead (clockwise). Keep your distance from Padres and shoot the Dreadnoughts, Corsairs and skellies. The bad pirates are busy getting ships coming out of port. They won't see you.
(haven't seen one for weeks)