1.It can be fun if parents provide pirate hats and eye patches.  Costumes can also be used by the merchant and Coast Guard crews.

2.This is one of the few games in which swimming is allowed.  Children often become overly excited by this game.  So generally it is not played until late into the summer when the skill level is the highest and the risk of accident is lowest.

3.Children should be warned that rough housing is not allowed.  The pirates are not allowed to throw the merchant crew overboard.  They must jump voluntarily. 

4.There should be s staff member monitoring the activity at each of the buoys where the action takes place.