This is my suggestion on what pirate ranks could be like and how they could function.
Since it openly states on the pirate page that pirates have no rulers I will not add as many pirate ranks as nation ones.

1.Powder Monkey-equivalent to a citizen of a nation. No benefits aside from not having to pay ship taxes, 5% bonus in fame gain and halved upkeep.
2.Gunner-Equivalent to a captain.-Same benefits of powder monkey, plus 5% more bonus in fame gain, recruitment and cannons are purchased half off.
3. Quartermaster-equivalent to a major. Same benefits of previous ones, plus skirmish costs half the turns, and escape chance is halved.
4.First mate-equal to Colonel- same benefits of previous ones, plus piracy tech gives an extra 1500 gold per level. So maxed out an extra 30K gold. So a nice even 100K.
5.-Captain, or Pirate lord-equal to admiral-Same as previous ones, but tail ransom is increased 10%. so a howker ransom is 1100, a Sotl, 82500.
To gain ranks Several missions are offered and X points are needed. Recommended missions can be plunder X ships, Steal X gold, Skirmish X amount of times, and a few NPC missions of hunting down pirate hunters.


Please note that this is all up for discussion, numbers can be changed as can the titles.

In my honest opinion, Pirates do not need 'ranks'. They did not in real life; and they do not need one here. This just seems to me a way for the Pirate Side to be competitive. (Title shows whos got the bigger 'one', if you get my drift).

The Pirate Sides needs features which will change gameplay not changing into another standard nation form. A Pirate Flagship, for example is more of a pirate-gameplay-changer then just a title. You want to be known? Earn it. It can not be purchased like a cheap trinket.

-1 to your suggestion, although thinking outside the box; more missions could be used around the house. For each style of gameplay (Not related to Nations). The 'Title' you choose when you join the game, decides what missions you will get.

Like the 'Achieve 500 Plunder Wins' mission, there should be more of those.

I agree with Avery.

There was a suggestion to upgrade/expand the Tutorials and sidebar missions, would have to look for it.

+1 I agree with meliva

I agree with avery aswell ranks for pirate means squat pirate style need upgrade in different aspects. More missions is always welcomed. But what is needed in the game for every style of play is better focus on ships and less voodoo orientation.