https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sea-of-thieves-update-adds-explosive-skeletons-ful/1100-6460092/

With the end of Skeleton Thrones, Sea of Thieves enters its second Bilge Rat Adventure: Gunpowder Skeletons. Gunpowder Skeletons brings a new event to the open-world game, as well as multiple improvements to gameplay and bug fixes. With Skeleton Thrones officially over, that adventure's time-limited cosmetics and doubloon rewards are no longer available. However, any items earned during the Skeleton Thrones adventure, such as the cosmetic thrones and special titles, will remain a part of the world.

The new event unlocks gunpowder keg charging skeletons. Skeletons will now rush you with their explosive barrels in a suicidal attempt to take you down. The kegs themselves have also been updated with a stronger explosive force. Just one can now rock a ship and push it around. Of course, you can still use kegs to your own advantage. Fuses have been added to give you and your crew a five second head start before the boom.