This will serve as an introduction to the art of salvaging at sea. Salvaging can be a very lucrative business venture, with unique and bountiful opportunities, but it requires a high degree of preparedness and organization, and a pretty start-up penny!
Startup Costs
Startup costs are expected to be at minimum around $100-125m bux, not including operational fees after initial purchases.
Important Notes
While the below table has minimum requirements, you can benefit greatly from extra modules & support teams.
Below are required modules. However there are additional equipment items you may need such as Scuba Tanks (For Divers & Filling Lift Bags), Lift Bags (To Help Lift/Lift items from sea floor), Sonobuoys (Deployed from helicopters to help with initial search)
Salvage Depth | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
0-150m |
|
|
150m-2000m |
| |
2000-3500m |
| |
3500-4500m |
| |
4500m+ |
|
Step 1 - Initial Search
Once you have a “Salvage Anomaly”, you can begin the initial search. The initial search can be conducted in two ways, and if you have the capability to do both at once, you can.
Route A - Direct Sonar Scanning
Direct sonar scanning is done by moving to a ‘Grid’ somewhere in the designated search area. Once there, you can ‘Scan Grid’ using your Towed Sonar array and your Sonar Computer.
Note that better towed arrays and computers will allow you to scan a grid faster.
Scan time per grid is 6 hours for a Basic Computer and 3 hours for an Advanced Computer.
Route B - Helicopter Sonobuoy Deployments
Utilizing a helicopter you can greatly expand your search and scan capabilities. A helicopter can deploy anywhere it has range (Which generally will cover the majority of most search areas). If equipped with a Sonobuoy, it can “Drop” the sonobuoy in a specific grid, and that sonobuoy will then “Ping” searching for the anomaly.
If an anomaly is detected within the range of the Sonobuoy, you will get a notification and your Sonar Computer will be updated with the data.
A basic computer can detect Sonobuoy data from 50nm away, a Advanced Computer can detect Sonobuoy data from 100nm away.
If something is detected, you will get a message indicating whether it is in the exact grid of the sonobuoy, or within x number of grids in x direction from the sonobuoy.
Step 2 - Pinpoint Search
Once you have determined the “Grid” that contains the salvage anomaly, you need to move onto the pinpoint search. This search is also conducted using your Sonar Computer and Towed Sonar Array. The amount of time this step can take depends on your Towed Sonar Array. The Double Array can generally pinpoint something in 48-72 hours. The Triple Array can generally pinpoint something in 8-24 hours. Once the object has been pinpointed, you’ll find out the depth of the object, the approximate size of the object (this is abstract, exact weights cannot be guessed until you visually identify the salvage). At this point you’ll be ready to move onto step 3.
Step 3 - Analysis & Retrieval Planning
Step 3 is an intricate step in that it requires a unique approach everytime. First and foremost you will need to use either a Dive Team, Drone, or DSV (Whatever you have that is capable of reaching the depth assigned) to visually identify the salvage. Once this is done, you will be able to get an idea of the weight of the salvage, and what items may be required for extraction. Some key things to keep in mind are the following.
The visual identification will allow you to figure out an approximate weight. This weight will then determine what assets you’ll need (Lift Bags, Ship Crane and even potentially a Crane Ship) to extract the salvage to the surface.
Some salvage may be entangled, or may have a lot of junk but one ‘Key Area’ that may hold value (Such as a storage bay etc), and instead of pulling up the entire weight of the salvage, plasma cutters may be used to reduce the amount of material that must be lifted.
There is no ‘perfect’ way to do a lift, so your plan can be of your own making. Just remember that lift bags are limited to 10 per lift, so the maximum lift assist you can have with lift bags is
Step 4 - Retrieval
Step 4 is actually performing the lift and extraction of the object. This phase simply requires having the right equipment and waiting the requisite time. As long as no dynamic events/issues arise, after the timer has expired, the item will be placed into your ships stowage. At this point, you can return to port.
Reminder: Depending on the weight of the item, your ship and it’s crane/lift bags setup may not be enough to lift the salvage item. In this case, you will either need to sell it to someone who can, or wait until you have more supporting equipment or a larger ship capable of doing the lift!
Step 5 - Offloading
Step 5 is the final step of the process, in which you offload the item(s) to the port you departed out of. Depending on the item, it will then be available in various areas. Blueprints will go to your blueprints, treasure will payout in bux, special finds like antiquities or restorable items will go to their respective areas. Congrats, if you made it this far, you are officially in the Archaeology game!