Cargo Ship Basics
The Cargo Ship is a roaming event that spawns and circles the map for approximately 40 minutes before despawning. Its arrival is announced by a loud horn and a server-wide notification.
The ship contains: - 2 Hackable Locked Crates (15 minutes each to hack) - 2 Elite Crates - 4 Military Crates - 15+ Heavy Scientists (300 HP each) - Sometimes a RHIB boat on the deck
The ship moves slowly around the island. You can board from the rear using ladders, or from the sides by climbing container stacks. Bring a fast boat to intercept it.
Boarding and Clearing
Approach from the stern (rear) where the ladders are located. The front of the ship is harder to board and more exposed.
Clearing strategy: 1. Board via the rear ladder 2. Immediately check for other players -- Cargo Ship is heavily contested 3. Clear scientists on the rear deck first (2-3 scientists) 4. Move forward through the container corridors, clearing scientists methodically 5. Reach the bridge area on the upper deck 6. Clear the front deck where the second locked crate is located
Heavy Scientists deal serious damage. Always fight from behind containers. The ship's layout provides excellent cover if you use the stacked containers properly.
Bring at least: AK or LR-300, 200+ ammo, 10+ meds, full armor set. A silencer helps avoid detection by other players who might board while you are clearing.
Locked Crate Timing
The two locked crates are the main prize. Each takes 15 minutes to hack, and they are in different locations on the ship.
Strategy options: 1. Hack one, defend it, loot it, then hack the other. Safest approach but slower. 2. Hack both simultaneously (with a team). Faster but splits your defense. 3. Hack one and leave the other. Some players grab one crate and extract quickly to avoid extended fights.
IMPORTANT: The ship despawns after approximately 40 minutes. If you are still on the ship when it despawns, you are teleported to a random location in the ocean (usually fatal). Plan your timing: - Clear scientists: 10-15 minutes - First crate hack: 15 minutes - Second crate hack: 15 minutes - Total: 40-45 minutes -- cutting it very close
Most players hack the first crate immediately and start the second only if there is enough time.
Extraction and PvP
Getting your loot off the ship safely is the hardest part:
- Keep your boat alive. If enemies sink your boat, you are stranded. Park it on the side of the ship away from the boarding ladders.
- Quick extraction: Loot the crate as soon as it finishes hacking and immediately head to your boat. Do not linger.
- Watch for boarders: Other players will board while you are hacking. Position a teammate near the boarding points.
- Underwater escape: If your boat is sunk, swim underwater toward shore with the crate loot. Dying at sea loses everything.
- Minicopter extraction: The fastest escape. Land a mini on the ship deck, loot, and fly home. Risky since the mini can be destroyed.
Cargo Ship is one of the most PvP-intensive events in Rust. Expect multiple teams contesting the ship. The team that arrives first and clears the scientists fastest has the advantage.