Haha, I knew I was going to run into a wall of hard code sooner or later with this.
Oh well, the result I've achieved on my boat is quite satisfactory.
I now have my Watch Officer with Konrad Krumm's white cap and the other watch crew using the black cap from XIII's Men@Work mod. No hats below deck.
I'll post a screenshot as soon as I get out of this dreadful weather.
I could make a mini-mod out of what I have now, provided I get permission from the rightful owners to include their skins. Or just release it with the stock officer cap skin.
I'm also definitely looking forward to your take on this, privateer.