Voyage Century Online - Anyone ever played it?

So this (free) MMO has sucked me in. I've got a soft spot for pirates and broadsides I guess.

Problem is, the game guide is in really horrible staggered English and impossible to decipher.

I can't figure a lot of things out about the game and could really use some help. The players are pretty much the opposite of talkative and I haven't managed to get anyone to answer any questions.

My first question is:

Why is the starting 'novice' ship about 10 times more powerful than the ones I can upgrade to? I went to upgrade earlier but realized I would lose over 8000/10000 of my Hull integrity on the ship.

Second question:

What is with the cool crests next to some player's names? I think it has something to do with your 'fame' level but I'm not sure.

I have plenty more to ask, but I've got the feeling that this game will be pretty much unknown here on ATS so I'll add them later if anyone replies.