👥 OSRS Crewmates Complete Guide

All 10 crew members, interactive builder tool, and optimal setup strategies

Sailing Guide › Crewmates

Watch: Complete guide to OSRS Sailing crewmates and crew management

10
Total Crewmates
40
First Unlock Level
5
Max Crew Slots
3
Core Stats

🧭 Interactive Crew Builder

Get personalized crew recommendations based on your level and activity type

Build Your Perfect Crew

Select your level and activity to get optimal crew recommendations

🎯 Your Recommended Crew

📊 Understanding Crew Stats

⛵ Helmsmanship

Affects: Navigation, sailing, and steering. Crewmates can trim sails automatically (40-70% XP based on level). Level 3+ required to pilot a Sloop.

Best for: Barracuda Trials, long voyages

⚔️ Privateering

Affects: Combat effectiveness and cannon operation. Level 1 = Bronze cannon, Level 4 = Dragon cannon.

Best for: Ship combat, bounty tasks

🔧 Deckhandiness

Affects: Salvaging (40-70% XP), crate carrying (1-2 crates), and repair efficiency. Higher level = better salvage rates.

Best for: Salvaging, courier tasks

👥 All Crewmates Overview

Complete list of all 10 crewmates with stats, locations, and requirements

Crewmate Level Location Helm Priv Deck Requirements
👔
Jobless Jim
40 Port Sarim 2 1 3 None
🧙
Ex-Captain Siad
50 Desert Mining Camp 3 2 3 Quest The Tourist Trap
🏹
Adventurer Ada
55 The Pandemonium 3 2 1 None
👻
Cabin Boy Jenkins
60 Crandor (Lady Lumbridge wreck) 2 2 4 Quest Dragon Slayer I Item Ghostspeak Amulet
🐺
Oarswoman Olga
65 Burgh de Rott (west dock) 2 4 2 Quest In Aid of the Myreque
😰
Jittery Jim
70 Port Khazard (Anvil building) 1 4 1 None
⚓
Bosun Zarah
80 Etceteria 3 3 2 Quest Royal Trouble Diary Fremennik Easy/Med/Hard
😊
Jolly Jim
85 Brimhaven 2 3 1 None
🔭
Spotter Virginia
90 Ruins of Unkah (east of fishing shop) 4 2 2 Activity 100 Tempoross subdues
⛵
Sailor Jakob
95 Catherby (dock) 4 1 1 None

📖 Detailed Crewmate Profiles

In-depth information about each crewmate's strengths and best uses

👔

Jobless Jim

Level 40 • Port Sarim

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Early game crew member
  • Courier tasks (3 deckhandiness)
  • Salvaging with steel hooks
  • General deck work

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 40 Sailing
  • Find him in Port Sarim
  • Talk to him to recruit
  • Assign via Crew Registrar
🧙

Ex-Captain Siad

Level 50 • Desert Mining Camp

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Piloting Sloops (3 helmsmanship)
  • Balanced mid-game crew
  • Courier tasks (2 crates)
  • Steel cannon operation

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 50 Sailing
  • Complete The Tourist Trap quest
  • Find him at Desert Mining Camp
  • Talk to recruit
👻

Cabin Boy Jenkins

Level 60 • Crandor

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Salvaging (70% XP with dragon hooks!)
  • Courier tasks (2 crates)
  • Best deckhand in the game
  • Repair kit efficiency (+3 bonus)

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 60 Sailing
  • Complete Dragon Slayer I
  • Get Ghostspeak Amulet
  • Find him on Crandor wreck
🐺

Oarswoman Olga

Level 65 • Burgh de Rott

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Dragon cannon operation
  • Ship combat (4 privateering)
  • One of two level 4 privateers
  • Bounty tasks

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 65 Sailing
  • Complete In Aid of the Myreque
  • Find her in Burgh de Rott
  • At the west dock
🔭

Spotter Virginia

Level 90 • Ruins of Unkah

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Best helmsman (4 helmsmanship)
  • Barracuda Trials
  • Long voyages (70% sail trim XP)
  • Sloop navigation

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 90 Sailing
  • Subdue Tempoross 100 times
  • Find her at Ruins of Unkah
  • East of the fishing shop
⛵

Sailor Jakob

Level 95 • Catherby

Helmsmanship:
★ ★ ★ ★
Privateering:
★ ★ ★ ★
Deckhandiness:
★ ★ ★ ★

Best For:

  • Alternative max helmsman
  • No quest requirements!
  • Barracuda Trials
  • Navigation-focused setups

How to Unlock:

  • Reach level 95 Sailing
  • No other requirements
  • Find him on Catherby dock
  • Easiest endgame recruit

🎯 Crew Setup Strategies

Optimize your crew for different activities and level ranges

⛏️ Best Crew for Salvaging

Focus on high deckhandiness for maximum salvage XP and success rates.

Levels 40-59

Primary: Jobless Jim (D3) for 60% salvaging XP with steel/mithril hooks.

Tip: Manually salvage for 100% XP when possible.

Levels 60-69

Best Setup: Cabin Boy Jenkins (D4) + Jobless Jim (D3) or Ex-Captain Siad (D3).

XP Rates: 70% + 60% = 130% total (vs 200% manual).

Levels 70+

Triple Crew: Cabin Boy Jenkins (D4) + Jim + Siad = 190% combined XP.

Strategy: Use dragon hooks on Jenkins for best passive gains.

Pro Tips

• Crewmates have shorter salvage range than you

• Position close to salvage points

• Higher deckhandiness = better loot chance

⚔️ Best Crew for Combat

Maximize privateering for cannon operation and ship battles.

Levels 40-64

Primary: Ex-Captain Siad (P2) for steel cannons.

Alternative: Jobless Jim (P1) for bronze only.

Note: Limited combat capability at this range.

Levels 65-69

Game Changer: Oarswoman Olga (P4) unlocks dragon cannons!

Setup: Olga (P4) + Siad (P2) for dual cannon setup.

Levels 70+

Best Setup: Oarswoman Olga (P4) + Jittery Jim (P4).

Triple Setup: Add Bosun Zarah (P3) at level 80.

Warning: Crew cannons deal ~50% less damage than manual.

Combat Tips

• Don't build mithril cannons before Olga

• Crew can't fire at steep angles

• Manual cannons always better for boss fights

📦 Best Crew for Courier Tasks

High deckhandiness crew carry more crates per trip.

Crate Carrying Math

Player: Always 1 crate

D1-D2 crew: 1 crate each

D3-D4 crew: 2 crates each

Formula: 1 (you) + crew totals

Levels 40-54

1 Crew: Jobless Jim (D3) = 3 total crates

Tip: Better than solo (2 crates) by 50%.

Levels 55-69

2 Crew: Jim (D3) + Siad (D3) = 5 total crates

At 60: Swap to Cabin Boy Jenkins (D4) + Jim = 5 crates

Levels 70+

3 Crew: Jenkins (D4) + Jim (D3) + Siad (D3) = 7 crates

Max Setup: 4-5 high deckhandiness crew = 8+ crates

🏁 Best Crew for Barracuda Trials

Helmsmanship is king - let crew handle sails while you focus on navigation.

Why Helmsmanship Matters

• Trials require constant navigation

• Crew auto-trims sails (40-70% XP)

• You still control direction/speed

• Higher level = longer trim duration

Levels 30-49

Best: Jobless Jim (H2)

Issue: Cannot pilot Sloop!

Advice: Rush to level 50 for Ex-Captain Siad.

Levels 50-89

Best: Ex-Captain Siad (H3) or Adventurer Ada (H3)

Benefit: Can pilot Sloops + trim sails

XP: 60% sail XP while you navigate

Levels 90+

Best: Spotter Virginia (H4) or Sailor Jakob (H4)

Advantage: 70% sail XP + longest trim duration

Tip: Virginia needs 100 Tempoross KC

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many crewmates can I have at once? ▼
The number of crew slots increases with your Sailing level:
  • Level 40: 1 crewmate
  • Level 55: 2 crewmates
  • Level 70: 3 crewmates
  • Level 85: 4 crewmates
  • Level 95: 5 crewmates
You can boost your Sailing level to recruit crewmates, but boosts don't unlock additional crew slots.
Can I change my crew anytime? ▼
Yes! Changing crewmates is completely free and can be done at any time via the Crew Registrar. You should switch your crew based on your current activity - use high deckhandiness crew for salvaging, high privateering for combat, etc.
Do crewmate stats level up? ▼
No, crewmate stats are fixed and never change. Each crewmate has permanent helmsmanship, privateering, and deckhandiness values ranging from 1 to 4. This is why it's important to choose the right crew for each task.
Should I let crew members salvage or do it myself? ▼
Manual salvaging always gives 100% XP, while crew gives 40-70% XP based on their deckhandiness. Use crew for salvaging when you need to multitask (operating cannons, navigating), but do it manually when purely focused on salvaging XP. The best of both worlds is having Cabin Boy Jenkins (D4) salvage while you operate a second salvaging hook.
Which crewmate is the most important to unlock? ▼
Cabin Boy Jenkins (level 60) is arguably the most valuable overall due to his maximum deckhandiness (4). He excels at salvaging and courier tasks. For combat specialists, Oarswoman Olga (level 65) is crucial as she's the first crewmate who can operate dragon cannons. For navigation, Ex-Captain Siad (level 50) is essential as he can pilot Sloops.
Do I need to complete quests to get all crewmates? ▼
No. Six crewmates have zero requirements beyond Sailing level: Jobless Jim, Adventurer Ada, Jittery Jim, Jolly Jim, Sailor Jakob, and one slot requires 100 Tempoross subdues (Spotter Virginia). However, the quest-locked crewmates are generally stronger, so completing The Tourist Trap, Dragon Slayer I, In Aid of the Myreque, and Royal Trouble is highly recommended.
How do I manage crew at the Crew Registrar? ▼
The Crew Registrar can be found at The Pandemonium or Port Roberts. Talk to her to open the Crew Management interface where you can assign or remove crewmates from your active ship. You must first talk to each crewmate at their location to recruit them before they appear in the Crew Registrar's interface.
What's the best balanced crew for general use? ▼
For general-purpose sailing, a balanced setup is:
  • Levels 60-69: Ex-Captain Siad (H3/P2/D3) + Cabin Boy Jenkins (H2/P2/D4)
  • Levels 70-79: Add Jobless Jim (H2/P1/D3) for a third slot
  • Levels 80+: Bosun Zarah (H3/P3/D2) is the most balanced single crewmate
However, you should still swap crew based on your current activity for maximum efficiency.

📚 Related Resources

📖 Sailing Main Guide

Complete 1-99 training guide with XP rates, ship upgrades, and quest walkthroughs.

View Guide →

🚢 Ship Upgrades Guide

Learn when to upgrade your hull, sails, and facilities for maximum efficiency.

View Guide →

🏁 Barracuda Trials

Detailed walkthroughs for Tempor Tantrum, Jubbly Jive, and Gwenith Glide trials.

View Guide →

🧮 XP Calculator

Calculate exact training time and costs from your current level to 99.

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