Instructions
Enter your fleet blueprints screen and create a starship that has at least one "Boarding Party" pod. The boarding party is the only method of capturing an enemy ship in combat.
Attack an enemy ship or fleet.
Bring down the enemy's shields. A boarding party cannot board a ship that is currently shielded.
Bring your boarding-party-equipped ship near the unshielded enemy vessel. The pod will launch automatically when you are close enough.
Wait for the boarding party to successfully capture the ship, or be wiped out.