Question about Marines aboard ships

[unmerged(180093)]

When a ship i have carries Infantry (Marines?), do they help in the Boarding action by shooting at the enemy from their Marse Platforms?
Does carrying Marines increase efficency of the crew?
(IIRC the Marines aboard a Warship could be detached to handle small guns, and assist the seamen in various functions?)

...or is it a waste of money to carry Marines when attacking other ships?

 

[unmerged(137907)]

Marines help in three ways:

1) they automatically fire at enemy crew with their rifles, if in range.
2) they are very important in boarding actions, they are more effctive than normal crew.
3) they are practically a must when attacking a port


The downside is they use up cargo space.

 

[unmerged(94078)]

If you attack a port and there are natives or pirates inside how efficient are marines then.
Are there any statistics?

 

[unmerged(180093)]

Thanks, Lads!
i shall always have a detachment of Marines or Sepoys on board...

 

[unmerged(175798)]

Just remember (as Kim stated) they take up cargo space and lessen your profit. I have never used them except of course when taking ports.

 

[Forster]

Likewise, but they do tend to make taking ports a little less costly shipwise, I think.

 

[unmerged(180093)]

I have adopted the technique to have, on a group of 4 Brigs doing trade runs to India, ojn the Commanders Ship, 40 out of 80 possible Marines. This enabled me to successfully Board a Pirate Galeone yesterday...
I doubt i would have succeeded to take the enemy shiip , had i carried no Marines... as casualties were high on my side as well.

Its good to have a detachment of Soldiers on board...