Food for thought.

[Bellman]

Good suggestion SquidB.

Competitive play can be a bit rough !
The scoring=promotion system leads to heavy hitting on the noob by mature sharks. A minority, but ever present.
This is reprehensible and offputting and leads to players walking away. A wasteage this minority interest sim can ill afford.

On the other hand, to be fair and balanced fleets provide structured and developmental training of the highest order.

We need a learners lagoon, free from the pressures of competitiion where new players can interface
with the experienced and learn informaly in play and chat. Then they may opt for Fleet play armed with basic skills.