Many times with new characters I like to claim the Maria Elena as my own for a while.
It's free, safe housing for beginners. The method of claiming it is quite amusing to me.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:The_Marie_Elena

I've noticed that all but one container in the Captain's cabin respawns.
This mod fixes that. It also adds one additional chest on top of the locked 100 level chest.
There is nothing in those containers that need to respawn. I see no reason it won't be safe to include this in your mod list. With this mod in you can now use all the containers in the Captain's cabin safely.

I straightened and enlarged the rug in the Captain's Cabin and straightened the desk.

I've not touched anything else. That chest is still locked 100. You will have to sort unlocking it by yourself.

Do with this mod as you wish.

Credits:

Bethesda
Spirited Treasure

Download:

http://download.fliggerty.com/download-91-860

Thanks. Will add this mod.