The Ahoy! panel on the sunshine widget shows certain notices when they come up. The Ahoy! panel is usually empty, but can show:

• A notice informing you that new news and issues have appeared since your last login.
• Swordfighting, drinking, or Treasure Drop challenges from other players.
• Trade requests from other players.
• Hearty requests from other players.
• Offers from other players to job for their crew.
• Jobbing requests from other players to job for your crew (for officers and above while sailing a ship).
• Offers from other players to join their crew.
• Tournament information.
• Results from the /who series of commands.
• A notice, which shows up after five hours of continuous play, reminding you to take a break.

Some notices disappear over time, but some need to be acted upon by you (or the player that sent them to you) before they dissapear.