[fabianfred]

to change the ship sinking times to make them at least five times longer

and to have a delay start on the fire/smoke/light objects?

Bear in mind that the combat element of this sim is still part of a game. Would you be prepared for coop (or DF) missions to last five times as long? I don't think people would be too happy to sit around waiting for shipping kills to register.

the kill registers as soon as damage sufficient to sink the ship is caused...you get the 'ship sunk' message..even though the ship takes a while to disappear beneath the waves

It's just that they all sink far too quickly for a realistic effect