Pirate ships were far more democratic than merchant ships of their time.

Thanks to many forward-thinking pirate captains, crew members were usually allowed to elect the captain and could replace him at any time. Everyone shared the booty according to rules agreed upon before any battle took place. And if you were injured when it did, you were given assistance by a kind of pirate welfare system. Money from a special fund created by the crew compensated men who were injured or disabled.

While life aboard the pirate ship was rough, the consequences for capture were even worse. Most pirates who weren't killed by battle or disease finished their careers at the end of a rope.