Two quick questions
 

I'm considering taking the plunge, but I have two questions that I hope someone will answer...:

Is it possible to ignore all the silly face-to-face crew-nursing stuff I've heard about - or will ignoring it give me some crippling low morale-levels half-way through a patrol?

Is it possible to command the sub with key commands or is everything done through the first-person system?
I think I would find it a hazzle to have to run around the sub to get menial tasks done like changing speed or opening the captains log.
I just want to be able to hit a key and be done with it... :-)

Yes and Yes.