Gemini Five

I'd say spend your early points not on what you want to focus on in the end but rather on what helps you progress over all the fastest. Cover all your basic useful skills first. If you go all ships and sailing from the start, you will spend a lot more time grinding mats than if you got harvesting and beast first. Vitamin skills will help you need to bite the shark less. Unlock the smitty right away. Read over all the skills in the beginning and make a plan in advance.

I also cannot harvest on m8 1004 while my EU alt can harvest on m8 1004. I have found a few islands that I can't harvest on.

I also cannot harvest on a few islands such as my home island m8 1004. Oddly as a test I stated an alt on EU and the alt can harvest on m8 1004.