''....Usually after a patrol I dismiss the highest rank officer and hire a new one, Oberfahnrich. I do it after coming back from patrol, without reloading the game (so that I can adjust his look, randomise name, and assign needed qualifications ....''

Man - how you can dismiss an officer which is with you from 1-st patrol?
That is an element of RPG - when your crew takes experience with
you, with each patrol completed
For me the greatest catastrophy during patrol is loss of just one crewman - when just one matrose dies, there is only exit and loading savegame.
Nothing can replacing a crewman after 10 patrols
However i think that crew takes experience too fast - someone could
make a mod which will randomise gained experience.
UFF.
Sorry for disturbing your thread
Regards