Yep ... SPOILER...
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Try the spell calm humanoid / calm creature.
Maybe youll find that some of the pirates actually can give you missions.
I never tried with them, but there are a few mages in the game that actually are
able to sell you things or train your character to nice levels when they just
settle down a bit.
IE:
the master anchanter found in Indoranyon, Qorwynn. UESP says: "May attack you on sight. Use a Calm Humanoid spell in order to talk with him and receive training."
This works in other places, I wont let you know where, wink, wink, spoil, spoil.
Just test it. Test it on those groups that hang around near chests and always attack you on sight.