How do I pick up items in the water?

[Phatigue]

If you're gonna say use a boat, I don't have a boat, where do I get a boat to pick up items??? These fishermen have boats but I can't use them.

[Tankfriend]

Use a ship. You should have already started with one. If you didn't, or you have lost it, then you can build ships with a shipyard, or buy them from Sir Archibald.

[Phatigue]

I only have a small trading post and some fisherys, i have no shipyard and i dont have the option to build one. Im in the story mode btw, idk if thats part of the reason its not available to me..

[Tankfriend]

The sailing shipyard will unlock once you have come far enough in the story.
Outside the campaign, it unlocks once you have at least 150 workers.
So, just keep playing. You'll get access to it, eventually.

[Satanreleased]

you need workers class to be able to build a shipyard. Once you have them you will need to fulfill all their needs, Once you have a shipyard you can start by building a schooner, with a schooner you can pick up the loot you find. But you are new in the game. Get your back into the mechanics. If you dont have a schooner you can use your very first ship you started with to pick up the loot. Stay away from pirates the first hour or 2 in the game. This game is not something like a normal RTS. This one is more economical, and you will have to spend allot of time fine tuning the needs of your people.

Me and my friends have games that lasts for 15 hours.