There are a few pirates that completely lack exploration buffs. Because exploration has taken on a greater importance, it would be good to have a few tweaks to the format. I think that the more of a pirate type that matches the weakness of the target, should also add to the likelyhood of material or davy jone's chest reward. It would also be nice if it would reduce the time the pirates battle the monster at sea. After all, you are doing a greater attack vs it. theives - they can add probability of receiving davy jone's chests. They are theives right? even if they add just 1% per theif, it gives you a better chance for better rewards. Skellies - they can help vs ghost ships. Sky raiders, limited to 8, and priestess, who take forever to recruit, are not enough to take on ghost ships. Ghost ships seem to create the biggest losses in pirates. Heavy Gunner - what aren't they good for? Brute - how come "monsters at sea" doesn't include the crab or shark?
We used to be able to send legends on the ships. that would easily connect with your idea. We know they already coded for that, after all