Is naval combat in the game?
In an October 23 response, XL_Don said there was currently no naval combat in ArcheAge Chronicles.
Ship scenery, underwater exploration and the original ArcheAge’s naval systems do not establish playable sea battles in Chronicles.
Will ships and naval battles be added?
When a player asked for naval content on October 16, the team response was that they would love to have it too, but it was not currently planned.
A follow-up explained that ships were outside the current scope and that the team preferred to ship the game on time rather than delay it for ships.
What this means for your plans
Do not choose Early Access on the assumption that naval combat is a promised feature. There is no announced version or date for it in those responses.
“Not planned right now” also does not mean “ruled out forever.” A later decision would need its own announcement; player hopes for an expansion are not a release commitment.
For the player-combat system that has been described, read PvP channels.