Beating each time for the first time grants huge XP rewards. Having enough OSRS gold can greatly help you pass the levels easily. Many mid-level players spend most of their time here due to RuneScape gold the excellent experience rates.
Crewmates (Level 40+)
At level 40, you can begin hiring crew. Different crew members excel at different tasks-navigation, salvaging, or handling. Larger ships can host more crew, and they make a big difference for:
Port tasks
Salvaging
Combat encounters
However, the crew cannot accompany you into the Barracuda Trials.
Early-Game Roadmap (Levels 1–30+)
A quick levelling path summary:
1–5: Complete The Pandemonium
1–12: Do port tasks
12: Complete Prying Times → Jump to Level 15
15–22: Port tasks or salvaging
22: Complete Current Affairs → Level 24
24–30: Continue tasks or salvage
30+: Unlock bounty tasks and Barracuda Trials
This mix gives you a clean, smooth early progression into the core of the skill.
Fully AFK for 25 Minutes: The Latest OSRS Sailing Technique
Old School RuneScape's Sailing skill has introduced a wave of new mechanics, training routes, and optimisation strategies-and with it comes one of the most relaxed methods currently available. If you're looking for long AFK intervals, steady experience, and virtually no input for nearly half an hour at a time, this new salvaging method is one of the strongest options on the market. Players are calling it one of the best AFK techniques for mid-level Sailing, and for good reason: it allows you to go completely hands-off for up to 25 minutes straight.
Below is a complete breakdown of how the method works, what you need to get started, and how to position your ship efficiently to maximise your AFK earnings.
Requirements & Preparations
To use this method, you'll need at least Level 40 Sailing. Having enough RuneScape gold can be a great help to you. This is the level at which you can begin hiring crew members-an essential part of the setup, since they'll be doing all the salvaging work for you.
Two early-game crew members are key:
Jobless Jim – Level 40 Requirement
Location: The main port
Simply speak to him once you meet the requirement to hire him as crew
Jim is your first salvaging specialist and will operate one salvaging hook
Captain Scad – Level 50 Requirement
Location: Desert Mining Camp (upstairs)
Once hired, Scad functions as a second salvager
With both crew members recruited, your Sailing efficiency doubles-necessary for the full AFK method to work properly.
Unlocking the Sloop (Level 50)
The method becomes viable once you reach Level 50 Sailing and unlock the Sloop, a huge upgrade from earlier vessels.
Why the Sloop is essential:
Supports two salvaging hooks instead of one
Let's you park both crew members at separate sides of the ship
Allows simultaneous salvaging from multiple wrecks
Offers increased cargo space and quality-of-life improvements
This combination creates a perfect storm for long-duration AFK gameplay-something rare in OSRS.
How the AFK Salvaging Cycle Works
Once your crew is hired and your Sloop is ready, the method becomes incredibly simple:
Approach a pair of shipwrecks.
Nearly every shipwreck on the map has another one close by. If you're mid-game or higher, you'll always find a pair.
Position your Sloop between the two wrecks.
Your goal is to sit exactly in the middle so both salvage points fall within range of your hooks.
Assign each crew member to a side.
Open crew commands
Select Other Facility
Send one to port, the other to starboard
Your crew begins salvaging automatically.
Every time they reel something up, you gain Sailing XP
Salvaged items are added to your cargo hold instantly
When one wreck is depleted, the crew automatically moves to the next
Go fully AFK for up to 25 minutes.
The cycle continues until RuneScape gold for sale both wrecks despawn and respawn. Your crew will wait patiently and begin working again once they reappear.