I think it would be cool to give us another weapon type. Perhaps a harpoon/spear that you can use as a melee weapon that hits harder than a sword but slower as well. Perhaps you could throw it with the drop mechanics of a cannon ball but have to pick it back up to use it again.
EDIT: Two handed Axes based on boarding axes or a maul or mace could be a different slow but powerful melee weapon.
Also stinkpots has a throwable would be good. They caused confusion and panic during pirate battles.
If we can free animals from cages, we’d kill less animals but also would have the ability to release them on our ships. It’d be a simple pet system technically. Imagine freeing several snakes on enemy ships. Why not?