Update log
Full Ships At Sea update
The complete published notes, normalized for clean reading and source attribution.
Extracted changes
- Gameplay
- Compatibility
- Fixes
- Performance
Ahoy Sailors, the coastline is calling....
It’s time again for a new Public Test! Today, we’re launching Update v0.8.5 into the Public Test Branch — and it holds alot of quality of life improvements and much more. From the brand-new Sea Taxi system, which lets you teleport to company-owned ships out at sea or move quickly within ports, to the dramatic new Burning House mission and major improvements to our Buoyancy and Ship Physics/Handling, there’s plenty to explore. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
Back up your Save File
As usual, to avoid any potential issues, we strongly recommend backing up your save files before joining to the Public Test version v0.8.5
To find your Steam for Ships At Sea saves:
Press Win + E
Paste %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/Sas/Saved/SaveGames into the search bar.
To try the PUBLIC TEST, please follow these steps:
Open Steam
Right-click on Ships At Sea in your library
Select Properties
Go to the Betas tab
Enter the password: SaSPublicTest
Choose "public_test" from the "Beta participation" drop-down list
Wait for the game to update the files (if nothing happens, restart the Steam client)
Launch the game
Note: Also, remember to verify the integrity of game files via Steam to avoid issues.
🌊 Big Step Forward: Major Improvements to Physics & Buoyancy
This update delivers Part 2 of our Buoyancy and Ship Physics Overhaul, significantly improving how vessels behave in the water.
Key improvements include:
More natural wave response with reduced bouncing and jittering
Improved steering and maneuverability at both low and high speeds
Smoother acceleration and more controlled deceleration
Resolved overly aggressive instant turning behavior of vessels
More accurate weight distribution, engine, and propeller force simulation
Support for multiple engines and rudders
Refined wave height transitions between open ocean and calmer areas
Optimized water shader and overall performance improvements
A major technical change in this update is that thrusters now have their own dedicated engine, entirely separated from the main propulsion system. This means bow thrusters equipped on the Class 3 Ships work independently and can be controlled even when the ship is stationary, behaving as expected in real-world operations.
This update marks another important foundational milestone toward achieving the level of realism players expect from Ships At Sea.
Please note: With the new ship physics system now active, our next step is to further fine-tune the handling and behavior of all boats and ships so they fully align with this improved foundation.
Because the updated physics support multiple engines and propellers, we will also introduce dedicated dual and triple throttle levers on ship bridges in the upcoming v0.8.6 update.
Sea Taxi — Fast Travel Between Ships & Ports
One of the most highly requested features from our community is finally here: the Sea Taxi!
This first iteration of the new system gives players the option to quickly teleport from a port to their company-owned ships out at sea or to move efficiently within major ports such as Røst, Værøy, and Bodø. You can also teleport between ports when needed, making logistics smoother while still preserving the core sailing experience. The Sea Taxi provides convenience when you want it, without replacing the journey itself.
If you want to teleport with your entire ship and crew, you can use your handheld radio, which could be quite costly without an insurance!
How does it work?
Interact with the Sea Taxi NPC at the ports, open the destination tab
Source