What? I'm a real pirate! I don't need no stinking specialist!

Yes, you do - specialists are actually very valuable in Sid Meier's Pirates!, and can save you for lots of trouble. They are very useful to you on your voyage, and opposed to the rest of the crew, once they've joined you, they never leave you. Every one of them has a unique ability that enhances your game in many ways.

(Note: These specialists are based on the beta, which means some might be gone, some might be changed, and some new items might also have been added.)

If you notice anything that's wrong / missing, please use the feedback-form so I can fix it as fast as possible :)

Carpenter
Makes hull repairs at sea.

Cook
Makes food taste better, increasing morale of the crew

Cooper
Preserve food in sturdy barrels, making the food last longer

Gunner
Trains your gunners in rapid firing, almost doubling the fire-rate

Navigator
Increases the speed of your fleet

Quartermaster
Enforces discipline at sea, decreases unhappiness and chance to desert.

Sailmaker
Repairs the sails at sea

Surgeon
Heals wounded crewmen