Most of this should be obvious to most of us but for those that don't get it let me spell it out a bit more.
The simplest way to stay out of the brig is to follow the basic rule of not being an abbreviated 'Richard'.
To elaborate a bit more I shall list a few 'dos and don'ts'
Do:
Say 'hello' in chat and also in voice, to announce your presence on board. Skulking about without saying hello will immediately make the crew suspect ill intentions.
Tell them your intentions, such as "hey folks, do you mind if I join your crew. I'm here to help in anyway I can"
If you arrive on board mid battle or storm, check to see if they need help repairing and bailing water.
If you arrive and they are in port and the ship is empty, either wait on board for them arrive back or go on shore and introduce yourself. If you wait on board, it's best to stay in one spot, Don't run about their ship looking for cases etc. I recommend sitting on the bowsprit, until they return, that way when they get back they will see you easily and see that you are not 'suspiciously' roaming about their ship.
If they are in port and you go on land to say hello, then you can also collect supplies for them.
If they are raising or start to raise the anchor, make sure you don't hesitate to help.
Don't:
Arrive and not say hello and immediately start running around there ship looking for chests and such.
Move their chests or drop them overboard etc.
Start firing their cannons for no reason or if the enemy ship is out of range, i.e. don't waste their supplies.
Immediately get drunk and start throwing up on them.
Conclusion: Do all you can to show the crew you are joining that you will be an asset and not a hindrance.
There have been occasions when I've done the above and still been thrown in the brig straight away for no good reason. My response to that is to usually leave immediately and join another crew. It has upset me a little when this happens to the point that I might say to them "hey guys, why lock my in the brig without at least checking that I'm okay. I could have been good for your team but now I will have to take my skills to another better crew instead". Which is a 'polite' way of saying go fourth and multiply.
I'm sure you folks can probably think of a few more 'do's and don'ts' but the easiest way to avoid jail is to remember the maxim ... "don't be an abbreviated Richard".
