If anything have people PM you:
http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...=newpm&u=19816 (This is the link to Private Message
you by the way)
Its just like email pretty much, only through the site. You can also set it up so your PM's are sent directly to your e-mail by going to the User Control Panel under Edit Options. That way you'll be able to read the contents of the PM through your email. Though you still have to respond via PM.