Filing a dedicated report for this bug on behalf of Eskhol. He originally reported it here: Unconfirmed Bug - Retriggering broken weapon enemies as hostile | PiratesAhoy!
At land, attacking officers works fine, they don't take damage and don't turn hostile.
But on your ship's deck, if you attack an officer, all officers in the scene (not just the one hit) turn hostile to the player. Meanwhile, all sailors turn hostile to the officers. Your officers and sailors slaughter each other, all in response to one mistaken strike.
Eskhol also reports the same is true in boarding actions (@imado552 could you test and confirm this part please? I am not able to play right now).
Perhaps the officers are set as a separate relation group from players while at sea?
At land, attacking officers works fine, they don't take damage and don't turn hostile.
But on your ship's deck, if you attack an officer, all officers in the scene (not just the one hit) turn hostile to the player. Meanwhile, all sailors turn hostile to the officers. Your officers and sailors slaughter each other, all in response to one mistaken strike.
Eskhol also reports the same is true in boarding actions (@imado552 could you test and confirm this part please? I am not able to play right now).
Perhaps the officers are set as a separate relation group from players while at sea?