Few questions about enemy ships
 

1. When using the "realistic sinking time", it might take some time for ships to sink. If you leave a sinking ship before it has sunk, will you be credited the kill anyway?

2. I have encountered enemy ships in fire, is that caused by friendly ships or may ships blow up by themself. Accidents may happend on the ship.

3. Any knowlegde about the risk we take when we leave fishingboats and such small ships behind. Will they report a u-boat sighting to their navy commands?

Well, in second thoughts, they may report us anyway before we sink em. If they spot us before they go down.

1. Yup. You still get the credit even if you don't hang around to see it sink.

2. Game bug or fratricide I think. I've encountered enemy merchants that are sinking for no apparent reason. Some players have reported Allied ships coming under attack from their own aircraft.

3. Yup. All Allied fisherboats will rat on you...if they see you. Doesn't mean the response will be overwhelming though. :cool:

It seems to me that bad weather can sink or perhaps cause damage to enemy surface vessels.

I was heading into Wilhenshaven on a set course and the watch spotted a german trawler. Rather than steer round it I ordered all stop and watched it. The sea was pretty rough, and it sometimes disappeared from view as waves obscured it. I thought "He's having a struggle".

Then I saw his stern was way down and his bow hanging in the air. He still struggled on but was obviously in serious trouble. A few minutes later he lost the fight and sank stern first. I was close by so I could have rescued the crew if that were possible. Poor sods :D

I was also slightly concerned I would be blamed for the sinking, but thankfully I wasn't. So yes, bad weather can damage and even sink ships.

I was under the impression that you have to see or hear the enemy ship sink to get the credit (tonnage/renown).
If you only hear it sink, the red ship-sunk-symbol appears grey instead. Not true?

I have seen small/coastal merchants, tug boats and armed trawlers sink by what must have been hard weather.
I have also seen a DD sink by own aircraft, both trying to take me out (accident of course).

Sometimes enemy ships can get in the line of fire between the uboat and the warships.
Once I had 3 torps shot into a T3, so it was bound to sink.
But the tanker got in the way of a DD shooting at me, so I lost the tonnage(!).
Did the DD loose renown because of that, you might wonder?

I also noticed that, it happened quite a few times. However, each time there was an explanation for it. Until now, the explanation I have, at least for my encounters, is that the planes dropped the bombs exactly were I was a few moments ago, and each time the enemy ship pursuing me was hit by the bomb.:lol:

Apart from those few times, I never saw other allied ship being hit when far away from me.
However, I did see upside down ships for no reasons, ships on fire for no reasons, aircrafts suspended in the air, aircrafts suspended in the water, on fire… and so on. Of course, most of these bugs have been reported and are well known… ;)

The only problem with leaving a drifting or limping ship to sink is that it could be repaired.

I swear they can repair if the damage isn't too bad and the sea isn't terrible.

So if you are able I'd say stick around to make sure. If they get away you've wasted your fish for nothing.