It no fun were you kill something with your ship then have to go back and drive over what you kill for the pet to pick it up. The pet when on board a ship need bigger range.

Yes!  I've been meaning to make such a post for weeks.  I always make sure to be as close as possible for a point blank salvo (but not too close either cuz cannon balls will overshoot target) and I still miss loot pickups way too frequently despite being right next to kills.

On the slower sailboat I used to stop the ship, jump off and swim, was way faster that way than trying to slowly steer toward sm carcass.  Now on the Carrack when I miss loot pickup I say effu game and keep going straight.  Sad really.