🛟 The Rescue Update: Open Beta Begins!

Ahoy, Seafarers!

We’re back with our second major Early Access Update – and you can jump in right now to test it!

The Rescue Update introduces search and rescue gameplay, two dedicated rescue vessels, and a range of new missions, events, and improvements. From pulling castaways out of the water to customizing your vessel’s appearance, this update expands life at sea in meaningful new ways.

The update is now available for testing on the public_beta branch. If everything goes smoothly, the full release on the default branch is planned for February 19.

Before we dive into the details, enjoy our small announcement teaser:

🛟 The Rescue Update

This update expands the Tide Guard, the coastguard faction of Seafarer, with two new vessels and search and rescue gameplay. Whether it’s a distress call nearby or a shipwrecked survivor spotted on the horizon, it’s your job to respond and bring everyone home safely.

⛑️ Meet Salvation

Salvation is a dedicated rescue vessel designed for deployment during emergencies at sea. As one of the largest and most modern coast guard ships in the world of Seafarer, she serves as the primary vessel for search and rescue missions. Recover survivors from the water, provide initial care on board, and transport them safely to the nearest port.

🚤 Meet Grace

Grace is Salvation’s daughter boat and is designed for speed and precision. Smaller and more maneuverable, she excels at close-range rescue operations, allowing you to approach people in the water where larger ships cannot safely operate.

Together, Salvation and Grace form the backbone of Seafarer’s new rescue gameplay, giving you the tools to respond effectively when distress calls come in.

🆘 Introducing Rescue Gameplay

Search and rescue missions are an essential part of coastguard duties. These missions task you with responding quickly to emergencies at sea: head to the scene of the accident, locate and rescue people from the water, provide emergency rations and warm blankets, and safely transport everyone to the nearest port.

And finally, there’s a use for all those lifebuoys on board. 🛟

⚓ New Missions & Events

The Rescue Update not only adds new mission types to the game, but also expands the range of random events you may encounter at sea. Occasionally, you’ll be asked to transport fragile or unusual cargo between ports. Rescue situations can now also appear as random events during your travels at sea. Every ship is equipped with lifebuoys, allowing you to assist shipwrecked people you encounter unexpectedly on your journeys.

🎨 Customize your Vessels

This update includes a first iteration of our vessel editor. Feel free to change your vessels’ names and add predefined logos to make your ships truly your own and give your fleet a unique identity on the water. Additionally, you can adjust the colors for most vessels!

⚙️ New Ship Features & Improvements

With one of our previous updates, we introduced windshield wipers for some vessels. These are now also available on Nordic Duchess, Big Trip, and Bulk Willy.

We’ve also heard your feedback regarding bow thrusters. With this update, thruster mechanics have been added to Lancer, Nordic Duchess, Big Trip and Willy, improving control during docking, harbor navigation, and other low-speed maneuvers.

🛠️ Fixes & Improvements

Alongside the new content, this update includes a wide range of bug fixes, tweaks, and quality-of-life improvements to ensure smoother sailing.

Learn more in the patch notes