Ok...i had a same problem playing with WOS megamod online with launcher and notihing happens with progress bar. I almost throw my DVD in garbage.
But then I switched to offline mode and when asked where to save my game i choose local hard drive.
Then i loaded my save game i whooooohoo it started to fill. Now everithing counts. Near patrol area or far...neutral ships...dolphins
)))) i was so happy about that... so there is no problem with mods...its something with offline/online.
So try to start carrear online save game switch to offline and enyoy