You can buy an emissary flag at level 15. That is incredibly easy to get if you're efficient at the game.
The window of a new account having to play on Safer Seas gives them some breathing room in learning the basics without having to stress about another player ganking them.
They can learn the different trading companies, the difference between a banana and a pineapple, and the basics of world events and sailing.
If you have a friend who's new to the game, this is a great way to have a chilled session to teach them without having the session interrupted by PvP combat. Suddenly being ordered around to bucket and repair, watch for boarders, pull up the mast can be too overwhelming for a brand new player. The forced Safer Seas buffer will help with player retention.
The biggest side effect is that throwaway/alt accounts (usually used to cheat or for ban evasion) will have to go through this process, slowing them down and greatly improve the experience of those who would encounter them. (There's a well known red-bearded streamer who has to make an alt account each time he streams, and he regularly gets banned on stream.) Many people have asked that HG be tied behind Pirate Legend, but this is way too much of a restriction.
If you complain about the minor inconveniences of having to level up a fresh account, you forfeit the right to complain about cheaters using throwaway accounts.
TL;DR: Safer Seas are coming. Making new players play on it till level 15 will help them learn the game, and improve the overall cheating experience.
