Ships At Sea News

[h3]Set It and Sail It: Autopilot NAV Mode in Action[/h3][p]
Ahoy, Captains!

Whether you're headed across the open sea or just want to prep your gear while staying on course, Autopilot NAV Mode is here to take some pressure off your maritime journey. With just a few steps, you can plot a course and let the ship do the navigating, giving you the freedom to focus on managing your onboard operation or simply enjoying the scenery.

[/p][h3]🧭 Here’s how to activate it:[/h3][p]
1️⃣ Plot Your Course – Open the map and drop waypoints for your desired path
2️⃣ Use the Autopilot Panel – Interact with the autopilot interface in your wheelhouse
3️⃣ Press SET – This locks in your current route
4️⃣ Activate NAV Mode – Toggle the NAV button to engage
5️⃣ Throttle Up – Increase your engine power and let your ship follow the plotted course automatically

Once active, your ship will stay on track — no constant steering required. Ideal for long trips, preparing your onboard operations, or just getting a break from the helm.

[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
[/p][h3]Rudder Feedback Display[/h3][p]
The bottom area of the autopilot panel display gives you real-time rudder feedback:


✅ Green Marker – Rudder is angled to starboard (right)
🔴 Red Marker – Rudder is angled to port (left)

This visual cue helps you monitor manual rudder adjustments or autopilot corrections while underway.

[/p][h3]Autopilot Panel – What Each Button Does[/h3]

• [p] STBY (Standby): Disengages the autopilot.
  This mode returns full steering control to the player, allowing manual navigation of the vessel.
  [/p]
• [p] AUTO: Engages the autopilot to maintain your current heading.
  Once activated, the vessel will hold its current course steadily until a new command is given.
  [/p]
• [p] NAV (Navigation Mode): Follows a plotted route from the map.
  The autopilot will automatically adjust the vessel’s heading to stay on track with your set waypoints or course line.
  [/p]
• [p] Rotary Control Knob: This knob lets you make fine-tuned heading adjustments while autopilot is active. It’s ideal for precise course corrections
  [/p]
• [p] Plus/Minus Buttons (DIM Mode): When the DIM button is activated, the + and – buttons allow you to adjust the brightness of the autopilot display. This is especially useful in different lighting conditions, helping you maintain visibility during day or night operations.
  [/p]

[h3]Why It Matters[/h3][p]NAV Mode — along with the other autopilot functions — brings a layer of authenticity to your sailing experience, simulating real-world navigation systems used aboard modern vessels. It’s a vital addition to your captain’s toolkit, helping streamline long journeys, reduce manual workload, and make complex maritime operations more manageable and immersive.

Smooth sailing ahead — and stay tuned for more exciting updates on the horizon!
We’ve heard your feedback about the autopilot occasionally displaying the message “Plotting route over land not possible” — even when navigating open waters. Rest assured, we're aware of this and are actively working on a more robust solution that will not only resolve this but also improve the overall experience in Shps At Sea.

- Team Misc Games[/p]

Ahoy, Captains!

We’re excited to introduce a powerful new feature for Ships At Sea: upgradable hooks—a key addition to elevate your longline fishing experience.

Gone are the days of one-fits-all equipment. With this upcoming system, you’ll be able to upgrade your fishing hooks from basic wooden models to more advanced and durable materials, such as bronze. Each tier of hook not only provides a new visual aesthetic but also delivers real gameplay benefits.



[h3]🎣 What to Expect:[/h3]

• Improved efficiency, allowing you to secure larger catches.
  
• Progression-based upgrades, giving you more reasons to visit the Tool Shop and invest in your fishing gear.
  

Whether you're just starting out with a basic oak hook or you're ready to invest in top-tier tools, these upgrades are designed to enhance immersion, progression and realism as you master longline fishing.

This feature is part of our ongoing commitment to bring more depth and customization to your maritime experience—making each haul more satisfying than the last.

Get ready to gear up and make every catch count!

- Team Misc Games

Ahoy, Skippers!

We’re excited to unveil a sharp new addition to Ships At Sea — Upgradable Knives are on the way for your fishing operations, and they’re far more than just a cosmetic touch!

With the upcoming update, players will be able to visit the Tool Shop to browse and purchase a variety of knives — from rugged, wooden-handled basics to sleek, stainless steel upgrades. Each knife level doesn't just look different — it brings functional improvements to your gutting performance.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3]Here Are Some Examples: [/h3]





Whether you're just starting out with a basic knife or looking to invest in a top-tier blade, you have the freedom to choose the right tool- and your budget!

• Choose the knife that suits your style
• Improve precision when gutting fish
• Enhance your overall productivity

[h3]Why It Matters: [/h3]
Gutting fish is a critical part of your catch processing workflow — and now, your choice of knife will directly affect your gutting efficiency. Each knife offers different handling characteristics, from humble wooden handles to sleek stainless steel blades; there's something for every crew and every budget. As with all tools in Ships At Sea, you can share knives with your company members in co-op mode via the company inventory, so your whole team benefits from the right gear.

This feature brings deeper customisation to your toolkit, enhancing your fishing experience - one cut at a time.

More updates are on the horizon as we continue to expand gameplay systems in Ships At Sea!
Stay sharp, Skippers!

- Team Misc Games

Ahoy Captains!

We’re excited to announce that the towing rescue mission is making its comeback in Ships At Sea—reimagined and fully integrated into our new mission event system, launching with Update 0.8.2!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

This marks the return of a long-awaited feature, now rebuilt to fit seamlessly within the evolving gameplay framework. In this first iteration, players will have access to a tow-capable service vessel to assist stranded boats out at sea.

This is more than just a returning feature—it’s the foundation for future rescue and support scenarios, with plans to improve the towing system and expand the types of vessels and mission conditions involved.

Expect a more immersive and dynamic maritime experience, where responding to emergencies is vital to your journey. Whether you're navigating through harsh weather or coordinating efforts with your co-op crew, the towing event adds a fresh layer of purpose and realism to your time at sea.

Get ready to —there are boats in need, and you're the one to help!

May the winds be in your favour—happy sailing!

- Team Misc Games

Ahoy Captains!

Some of you have already discovered it—upgradeable buoys are now live as part of the major v0.8.1 update we just released! This new feature adds more depth and customization to the commercial fishing experience, giving you greater control over how you mark and manage your gear out at sea.



Available for purchase at the Fishery Shop, every player begins with a default buoy—simple and functional, but without flags or lights. From there, it's up to you how far you want to upgrade:

• 🚩 Add a single flag for improved daytime visibility
  
• 🚩🚩 Upgrade to two flags for greater distance recognition
  
• 💡 Equip a light for better visibility at night or in poor weather
  

These upgrades are more than just cosmetic—they offer a practical advantages, especially when tracking longlines or net placements in busy waters, low-visibility environments, or rough weather.

Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand and refine the commercial fishing loop. We’re working on:

• Working on visual feedback when reaching your gear out at the sea
  
• Purchasable tools like hooks and knives in the Toolshop
  
• Working on NPC crew system, letting you assign tasks such as hauling gear, especially useful on larger Tier 3 fishing ships
  
• And yes, we’re also preparing to introduce new fishing methods—something many of you have been eagerly waiting for!
  

Whether you're fishing solo or with a full crew, your tools and strategies are evolving—and this is only the beginning.

Stay tuned, captains, more is on the horizon!

- Team Misc Games