The Sailing update added a lot of new ways to train skills in Old School RuneScape, but shipwreck salvaging is the best if you want a relaxing, hands-off method for gaining experience. You can start at level 15 and train all the way to 99 simply by using a good hook, upgrading your boat, and being patient. What’s great is that the gameplay remains consistent from the beginning to the end, making it one of the easiest skills to grind.
Unlocking Salvaging Early
After reaching level 15, you’ll be able to craft your first salvaging hook. A good place to begin is with the smaller shipwrecks located east of Pandemonium.
Head towards the shipwreck and use your hook to grab what you can, then repeat. Don’t bother collecting the salvaged items right now—it’s faster to just keep moving and grab more. Focus on speed, not on getting every little bit of loot.
Between levels 15 and 42, you’ll be collecting resources from sunken ships. Just sail close, use the hook to gather everything, fill your inventory, and then head to a dock to organize your loot. It doesn’t get much easier than that for passive skill training!
Upgrading Hooks and Shipwreck Tiers
As you gain experience, you’ll be able to craft better salvaging hooks. It’s best to always build the most advanced hook available, because they work faster and let you break down more durable shipwrecks. Here’s the typical upgrade path:
- 15: Small shipwrecks
- 26: Fisherman shipwrecks
- 35: Barracuda shipwrecks
- 73: Mercenary shipwrecks
- 87: Merchant shipwrecks
Each new tier bumps your XP rates a bit, though the real jump doesn’t hit until the 70s.
Level 30 Trials for a Strong Boost
When you reach level 30, complete the Tempest Tantrum Barracuda Trial. Aim for at least the Shark rank – this unlocks a barrel stand on your boat. The barrel stand lets you store Whirlpool Surprise, which gives you a permanent +3 boost to your Sailing skill. This boost helps you salvage items a little beyond your current level and makes progressing easier.
Once you’ve completed the trials, speak with Rum Dashed Ralph. He’ll give you your first Whirlpool Surprise, and after that, you can purchase as many as you like by unlocking the keg.
Level 42: The Salvaging Station Breakthrough
Reaching level 42 marks a major shift in the game. To progress, dig between the two trees in Pandemonium – you’ll find a Small Key. Use this key on Chinchompa Island to unlock the blueprints for the Salvaging Station. Building this station on your boat should be a top priority.
This station lets you handle everything you need right on the water, so you don’t have to return to the dock. You can sort salvaged items, get rid of unwanted junk, and then salvage again, all while staying put. This upgrade makes the process truly hands-free, allowing you to step away while it works.
How Shipwreck Respawns Work
If you come across a shipwreck while playing Sailing AFK, it might already be occupied. You’ll be able to tell because you’ll only see the option to look at it, not interact with it.
Shipwrecks become available again after a short wait – usually one to two minutes – after someone collects their resources. If a wreck is empty, simply sail to the next one. While busy areas have lots of players, wrecks respawn quickly, so there’s always something to find.
Recent updates have slightly increased the time between shipwrecks, making it easier to collect salvage without actively playing. You now have more time to sort through your loot before the next wreck appears.
Level 50 and Beyond: The Bigger Upgrades
Once you reach level 50, you can build a sloop, which supports two salvaging hooks.
Hire Jim, who’s looking for work in Port Sarim, to run the second fishing hook on your ship. While your crew will gain a bit less experience, using two hooks will still let you catch more fish overall than fishing by yourself.
Once you reach level 55, you’ll get the Teleport Focus, allowing you to use the Summon Boat ability. This is a really helpful feature that makes getting around much easier.
It’s easy to get to large shipwrecks south of Great Conch. You can teleport to Kunch and then summon your ship directly over the shipwreck’s location.
Reaching level 55 gives you a second crew member slot. Hire Captain Siad to take the helm, allowing you and Jim to continuously collect salvage. This means you’ll barely need to control the game manually, which is perfect if you want a hands-free, AFK sailing setup.
The Endgame Salvaging Loop
Starting in the mid-1950s, the gameplay has remained consistent: improve your boat with new upgrades, locate an area with frequent shipwrecks, position yourself there, and then repeatedly circle the area to find more.
Salvage → Sort → Drop junk → Redeploy the hook → Repeat
Experience gains are slow at first, but once you find the mercenary shipwrecks at level 73, you can consistently earn experience completely hands-free, all the way to level 99.
Final Thoughts
Shipwreck salvaging is an ideal way to passively earn rewards while sailing. It’s easy to do, reliably provides resources, and offers helpful features that make the process very smooth once you unlock it. You can make consistent progress whether you’re working, relaxing in the evening, or doing anything else – it doesn’t require constant attention.
Good luck with the grind, and sail safe out there.
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2025-11-23 10:40