SVS/Privateering & Getting Loot?

[StellaInTheSky]

Forgive me if this has been posted before...I looked but there's always the possibility I missed it. I was privateering the other day (I was on cannons) and we were out in the middle of nowhere doing repairs and letting people get ammo. The captain began shooting at NPC ships, and most of the people manning the cannons followed along. I didn't bother because, as has always been typical in SVS, you don't get rep or loot from NPC ships. But lo and behold, we ended up getting 5 loot pouches and a skull chest. (No cargos/treasures/royals, however.)

I tested this out myself today on several ships of varying levels, and I didn't get anything but a bunch of holes in my hull. Is this a glitch that can be performed or is it something that was just a temporary bug in the system?

I don't guess it matters either way because there's no real difference between this and regular sailing, I am just curious as to whether this is a new glitch or if it was just a one-time thing.