1. Yes, most characters will be on ships. You get a job, and can work your way up if you're ambitious, or stay in your current position if you like that as well. Once we reopen up Rosferia this coming year (France basically), you can also RP there in whatever role or capacity you like. I'd say that'll be open around May or so. You can have up to four starting characters if you wish.
2. They are under special circumstances. As we're playing like it was back in the 18th Century, it's limited for females, but they can sneak on, or have special permission from the Captain of said ship to be aboard. As we're only RPing one ship at the moment, the Captain (one of my characters), is more open to the idea.
3. I recommend reading the "Ship's Log" if you want to know what our current ship has been doing. It has the history of the ship, as well its operational history as well, and where the crew is currently at. Right now, they're on holiday leave in Florence, Calgary (Italy), for the winter, as winter was usually a bad time to sail. The ship is undergoing a refit, and we're having a Christmas gala at the moment to celebrate the holidays. The fleet will be putting to sea early next year though, as there's a threat they have to stave off. Basically, the ship we're on got sent to the Mediterranean, captured Toulon for a brief time, was driven out, and then worked most of this year to capture the island of Personza (Corsica) for use as a major naval base. Unfortunately, the sieges were draining and taxing, and the crew needs some time off, so they're now at Florence enjoying Christmas. The year is 1794, but 1795 is right around the corner, as this site moves in real time, so we're at the height of the War of the First Coalition. A link to ship's log is found here:
nauticusvergil.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=agamemnon&action=display&thread=215&page=14. Yes, you post a character app and choose a position you want your character to be in, though you don't HAVE to do this in the app. I refer you to this list:
Quartermasters (steer the ship, timekeepers)
Boatswain's mates (responsible for discipline and in charge of sailing)
Yeomen of the Sheets (responsible for the sail locker)
Coxswain (in charge of the ship's small boats as well as the Captain's bodyguard)
Quarter Gunner (in charge of 3 cannon, as well as directs fire in combat)
Captain of the Forecastle (leads the crew of the forecastle)
Captain of the Afterguard (leads the crew of the afterguard)
Captain of the Foretop (leads the crew of the foretop)
Captain of the Maintop (leads the crew of the maintop)
Captain of the Waist (leads the crew in the waist)
Gun Captain (in charge of a cannon)
Clerk (Assists the Captain with his ledgers and forms)
Carpenter's Mate (works under the Carpenter repairing shot holes and keeping the hull in good condition)
Gunner's Mate (works under the Gunner and is responsible for training the crew on the guns and for directing the flow of powder in battle)
Yeomen of the Powder Room (look after the fore and after powder magazines)
Armorer's Mate (works under the Armorer and fixes all metal parts on the ship)
Ship's Corporal (works under the Master at Arms and enforces regulations as well as breaks up fights)
Caulker's Mate (makes sure the ship is watertight at all times. Works under the Caulker)
Trumpeter (makes the signals for various orders on the ship)
Sailmaker's Mate (works under the Sailmaker to mend sails)
Carpenter's Crew (part of the Carpenter's workforce)
Steward (works under the Purser and assists him with his logs as well as cleans cabins and helps prepare food)
These are the petty officers, and if you want to go for a petty or warrant officer position, this is the list to look at. You can also try to go for a Midshipjack (Midshipman) which will possibly lead you to becoming a Lieutenant, and then a Captain. You can also become a Master's Mate, which works under the Master, who is the chief navigator of the ship.
Other than that, I think I covered all jobs, and regardless of which one you want, you'll be starting out as an ordinary seaman first, as you have to earn tenure here (as I want to make sure you'll stick around and be an active poster. Inactive officers are no good for a ship, after all.
). If you REALLY want to start as an officer, I can make arrangements for that as well, but you need my permission to do so. I'll start you at a junior position first, and promote you if you demonstrate qualities worthy of officer rank.
Any other questions, please feel free to ask! Either here or PM is fine. And welcome aboard!
We're getting an unexpected Christmas present it seems. 
). If you REALLY want to start as an officer, I can make arrangements for that as well, but you need my permission to do so. I'll start you at a junior position first, and promote you if you demonstrate qualities worthy of officer rank. 