I don't know everything about the game (yet), but when i think of 'calling for help', it may be something like if ships from your guild/country saw your flag and they were within sight distance they could get there in time to help. Or maybe you wou…
I'd tend to agree with isildur on this one. The developers have choices to make, and they are doing what they see as being in the best interest for their game.
In general, this brings up a problem as I see it with today's MMORPG game development…