You can build a ship in Rust starting with the Naval Update on February 5, 2026. Building a hull is similar to building a base, but it requires a separate plan and a dedicated station. You then add the controls and equipment needed to move the ship. Ships let you reach the Deep Sea, an area with islands, floating cities, and loot-filled ships.
- Building
- A station in deep water and a separate plan for the hull
- Speed
- Depends on sail and engine placement, as well as the bow shape
- Security
- A code on the helm prevents theft; an anchor prevents drifting
- Decay
- 24-hour grace period, followed by 12 hours to decay completely
- Deep Sea
- A temporary event beyond the edge of the map
What you need to build your own ship
You'll need a Boat Building Station and a Boat Building Plan. The station is where you build and modify your ship, while the plan lets you place the hull using ship parts. The other components are for steering, movement, mooring, and combat.
| Part | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Boat Building Station | Placed in deep water; used to build and modify ships |
| Boat Building Plan | Lets you build a hull from a separate set of ship parts |
| Helm | Steers the ship; its built-in lock protects it when nobody is at the helm |
| Sails | Catch the wind and push the ship forward |
| Engine | Provides speed and runs on Low Grade Fuel |
| Anchor | Keeps the ship in place |
| Cannon | Fires cannonballs and can sink other ships |
| Small Ramp | Helps you get onto another ship or ashore |
| Plank | Used to move between a ship and the shore or another ship |
How to build a ship in Rust
Start at a station in deep water. Building a hull is similar to using a regular building plan to build a base, but the Boat Building Plan uses its own set of ship parts.
- Place the Boat Building StationA Boat Building Station in deep water.
- Build the hullA Boat Building Plan to build the hull from ship parts.
- Install the helmSet a code on the built-in lock straight away.
- Place the sails and enginesTheir placement affects speed and handling.
- Install an anchorWithout one, a moored ship can drift toward shore.
- Add the rest of the equipmentAdd cannons, ramps, and planks to suit your trip. Test the ship before heading to the Deep Sea.
How to modify the hull and place items
If your ship keeps going in circles or needs changes, open Deploy & Edit mode from the helm. The building station will move around the ship so you can modify it. You can't access this mode from the helm in the Deep Sea.
After the Shipshape update on March 5, 2026, ship parts can be rotated and demolished at any time in edit mode. The usual five-minute timer does not apply. To snap items into place, hold left Shift while holding the item.
What affects speed and handling
Sail and engine placement affects both speed and handling. If your ship isn't moving as expected, check not only that it has an engine but also where the equipment is placed. Sails harness the wind, while engines provide speed by burning fuel.
- Bow shape. Since May 2026, ships with flat bows have had much greater water resistance. A pointed bow works better.
- Sail and engine placement. If the ship doesn't move properly, you can modify it in Deploy & Edit mode.
- Reverse. Switch sails and engines to reverse using the radial menu.
- Fuel. The engine runs on Low Grade Fuel and burns through it quickly.
An engine is noisy and burns fuel quickly, and it won't fix a poorly designed hull: a flat bow will still slow the ship down. Reshape the bow first, then check the placement of your sails and engines.
What you can put on a ship
For regular items, the rule of thumb is simple: if you can place an item on a Tugboat, you can place it on your own ship too. Shipshape also allows electrical, industrial, and water items, but there are exceptions.
Which devices are prohibited?
The following devices can't be placed on a ship.
- Auto Turrets and SAM Sites.
- Wind turbines and CCTV cameras.
- Seismic sensors and hanging lights.
- Door controllers and hoppers.
You can apply wallpaper on a ship. When placing items that are allowed, hold left Shift to snap them into position on the hull.
How to prevent ship theft and decay
Set a code on the steering wheel: it has a built-in lock that works whenever no one is at the controls. Since the Livestock update (01.10.2026), you can change the code on the steering wheel if someone finds it out. Use an anchor when parking. Without it, your ship can drift to shore even if the lock keeps it from being stolen.
When does decay start?
Since March 2026, ships have a 24-hour grace period before decay starts, followed by 12 hours for the ship to decay completely. A ship only counts as being used when someone is steering it from the helm. Simply having a player on board does not count.
Where to find parts after losing your ship
If you lose your ship, you can find parts for a new one at the boat vendor in a floating city. They have been available from the vendor since May 2026.
Ship cannons and naval combat in Rust
Cannons fire cannonballs and can sink other ships. Since March 2026, hits also slow down the target: after several hits, its speed drops to 30% of maximum. This makes it harder for a damaged ship to escape.
You’re better protected when manning a cannon. If you aim a regular weapon aboard a moving ship, your crosshair sways, and the faster the ship goes, the worse it gets. Facepunch wants players to use cannons in naval combat.
You can dismantle wrecked player ships part by part and loot them.
How to reach the Deep Sea in Rust
The Deep Sea in Rust is a separate area beyond the edge of the map that opens and closes as an event. It appears on a random side of the map, and a signal announces when it opens. The Deep Sea does not open immediately after a wipe. See our separate guide for the wipe schedule.
Which vessels can reach beyond the edge of the map?
You’ll need a sturdy ship to reach the Deep Sea, and in practice that means building your own. Not every boat in Rust can make the trip. Since March 2026, RHIBs can’t enter the Deep Sea. PT Boats only spawn there, so you can’t use one to get there.
You can't build in this area. However, every island has a building station where you can repair and modify your ship. A nearby station will gently pull in a ship with its engines off, making it easier to dock.
Islands, floating cities, and loot-filled ships
The Deep Sea has areas for gathering resources, trading, and fighting scientists. Loot respawns slowly, and there has been less of it since May 2026, so don't expect locations to restock quickly.
- Tropical islands: white sand and palm trees. Some have ruins, while others have plenty of ore. Each island has a station for repairing ships.
- Floating cities: four variants with docks and vendors selling weapons, gear, food, and medical supplies. They also have a paid farming barge, recyclers, workbenches, research tables, oil refineries, and the Deep Deck casino in the center. Turrets keep the peace.
- Ghost ships: stationary ships with loot guarded by scientists. Some have a locked crate that you need to hack.
- Scientist boats: they travel in groups and can be cleared out and stolen.
PT Boats and protection from marine scientists
The PT Boat is slower than the RHIB and uses more fuel, but it is sturdier. It has two turrets: one with twin .50-caliber machine guns and one with a single .50-caliber machine gun. Both use regular 5.56 rifle ammunition.
Against marine scientists, a hazmat suit provides 30% protection, while a full metal kit provides 50% (up from 5% and 25% before March 2026). Since March 2026, scientists can no longer see through smoke grenades.
Frequently asked questions
How to build a ship in Rust
Place a Boat Building Station in deep water and use a Boat Building Plan to build the hull. Then install the helm, sails, and engines, and add an anchor and any other equipment you need. Test the ship before setting off and set a code on the helm.
How to reach the Deep Sea in Rust
Wait for the event to open, then head beyond the edge of the map in your own ship or a PT Boat. The event appears on a different side of the map each time, and a signal announces when it opens. It's unavailable immediately after a wipe. Since March 2026, you can't reach it in an RHIB.
Why is my ship so slow?
Check the bow shape and the placement of your sails and engines: they affect speed and handling. A flat bow creates much more water resistance. Cannon hits can also reduce a ship's speed to 30% of its maximum.
How long does it take for a ship to decay in Rust?
A ship starts decaying after 24 hours without use, and takes 12 hours to decay completely. It only counts as being used when someone is steering it from the helm. Simply being on deck does not count.
Can you put an Auto Turret on a ship in Rust?
You can't place an Auto Turret on a player-built ship, and SAM Sites are also prohibited. PT Boats come with built-in machine gun turrets, but they are a different type of vessel.
