There are five basic duties Captain Hawkins ship (the Algaminster) does, apart from apart from training and practice and keeping to the Pirate Code.

The Algaminster will smuggle goods into and out of lands dominated by Trinsic; in times of war, Captain Hawkins can get his pirates paid well to run past blockades set up around towns. Smuggling is also an easy way to get caught and murdered.

A kingdom's navy may hire Captain Hawkins and gives him vessels and scripts of contract to hunt down other pirates, when indeed, they themselves become traitors to the Navy. This is a trick called privateering. It is a good way to make contacts in the courts of powerful empiries and spy on civilian groups.

Captain Hawkins also buccaneers or simply attack and loot merchant-traders or convoys for treasure. Captain Hawkins at one time or another gets involved in buccaneering, and it is one of the few ways the Algaminster make its booty, besides hunting for buried treasure. When Captain Hawkins captures other vessels, he always take the loot, the larder, and sometimes the ship itself. If he doesn't he will usually burn or sink the captured vessel, which is called ‘scuttling’ it. Either way, he will usually try to talk their victims into joining their pirate ship.

And when his crew decide to sleep off the adventure in a tavern somewhere, where they divvy up their goods and trade their wares for equipment, then they are lying low. Lying low can sometimes involve pulling their ship to shore, careening it, and scrubbing its excess grime and barnacles off. This is also the best time to restock the ship and find food. Captain Hawkins hold accounts of all their members. These cutthroat heroes might be lawless, but they keep a democratic system where every one has a say. Pirates also have to swear to the Pirate Code. When a Pirate breaks the rules, his penalty is usually met by being marooned on a deserted isle.