1- get rid of the OW instance and shrink the size of the map accordingly to play everything in one instance ( would solve many problems with ow engangement/ganking etc. and increase immersion)
2- add more to the current very basic rpg game featers (skills ship knowledge etc). character creation with character visible on the ship, skill tree with more overview over leared books, skills etc...
3- to increase immersion add a character instance... accessable towns, ships cabin and decks, characters, fight the boardings rather than playing a minigame.