Level 73+ Sailing - High XP Rates & Profitable Training
Mercenary Shipwrecks are the third-tier salvaging option in OSRS Sailing, unlocked at level 73. They offer significantly higher XP rates than Fisherman's or Pirate Shipwrecks and drop valuable Martial Salvage that can be alchemized for profit. With optimal setup, you can achieve 115k+ XP/hr while making 140-170k GP/hr.
You MUST have an Adamant Helm equipped to navigate through the tangled kelp surrounding Mercenary Shipwrecks. Without it, you'll take damage and be unable to salvage efficiently. Upgrade from your Mithril Helm before attempting these wrecks.
Mercenary Shipwrecks spawn in three locations across the Southern Expanse. All locations require navigation through tangled kelp, which needs an Adamant Helm to traverse safely.
The northernmost spawn point. Navigate west from the Isle of Serpents through kelp fields. This is the most popular location due to proximity to banking routes.
Best for: Quick banking at The Pandemonium port
Located in the southwestern corner of the Southern Expanse. More isolated but often less crowded than other spots.
Best for: Solo training with minimal competition
The southeastern spawn point, southwest of Sunbleak Island. Accessible through kelp passages from multiple angles.
Best for: Exploring Southern Expanse content
All three locations are relatively close to each other. If one spot is crowded, you can quickly sail to another location within 30-60 seconds. World hopping is also viable for finding empty spots.
Your setup dramatically impacts XP rates and profitability. Here are three recommended configurations based on your budget and goals:
Cost: ~50k GP setup. Good for testing Mercenary wrecks before investing in upgrades.
Cost: ~200k GP setup. Best balance of XP/hr and GP investment. Jenkins automates one hook for semi-AFK training.
Cost: ~1.2M GP setup. Maximum XP rates with +16% bonus from Crystal Extractor. Salvaging Station eliminates banking.
The Crystal Extractor provides a +16% XP boost to all Sailing activities, including salvaging. At 73 Sailing, you can build it immediately. This transforms Mercenary Shipwrecks from 63k base XP/hr to 73k+ XP/hr before other optimizations. → See Crystal Extractor placement guide
Compare Mercenary Shipwrecks to other salvaging options to understand why they're optimal for high-level training:
| Shipwreck Type | Required Level | XP per Salvage | Base XP/hr | Loot Value | Double Spot? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Shipwreck | 15 | 31.5 XP | 15-20k | ~200 GP | No |
| Fisherman's Shipwreck | 35 | 63 XP | 30-40k | ~500 GP | Yes (1 location) |
| Pirate Shipwreck | 55 | 95 XP | 45-60k | ~850 GP | Yes (2 locations) |
| Mercenary Shipwreck | 73 | 127 XP | 63-115k+ | ~1,223 GP | No |
| Merchant Shipwreck | 91 | 159 XP | 80-130k | ~1,800 GP | Yes (1 location) |
Despite lacking a double salvaging spot, Mercenary Shipwrecks offer excellent XP rates and are significantly more profitable than lower-tier options. The 127 XP per salvage means fewer actions needed for the same XP, and Martial Salvage alches for consistent profit. They're the sweet spot for levels 73-90 before unlocking Merchant Shipwrecks.
Mercenary Shipwrecks are one of the most profitable salvaging methods in OSRS Sailing. By combining training with High Alchemy, you can earn 140-170k GP/hr while maintaining excellent XP rates.
Each Martial Salvage item alchs for approximately 1,223 GP. At 80 salvage attempts per hour (base rate), you'll collect ~60-70 successful salvages.
Cabin Boy Jenkins increases salvage attempts to ~100/hr, yielding 85-95 successful salvages:
Net profit: 90k-105k GP/hr
With Crystal Extractor, 2 Rune hooks, and Jenkins: ~120-140 salvages/hr:
Net profit: 140-170k GP/hr
Build a Salvaging Station (requires 75 Construction) on your ship to store salvage without banking. This eliminates travel time and increases both XP/hr and GP/hr by 15-20%. The station processes salvage into alchable items automatically.
Martial Salvage alch values are fixed at ~1,223 GP, but Nature Rune prices fluctuate. Monitor GE prices to maximize profit. Consider stockpiling Nature Runes when prices dip below 180 GP for better margins.
Check out these helpful community resources for visual demonstrations of Mercenary Shipwreck salvaging:
by u/goodguytrade in r/2007scape
This comprehensive video guide covers optimal hook placement, crew management, navigation routes, and salvaging efficiency tips. Perfect for visual learners!
Search YouTube for "OSRS Mercenary Shipwreck guide" or "OSRS Sailing salvaging 73+" to find additional video tutorials from popular creators.
You need exactly 73 Sailing to salvage Mercenary Shipwrecks. You also must have an Adamant Helm equipped to navigate the tangled kelp surrounding these wrecks. Without the helm, you'll take damage and be unable to access the salvaging spots.
No, unlike Fisherman's, Pirate, and Merchant Shipwrecks, Mercenary Shipwrecks do NOT have any double salvaging locations. All three spawn points offer single-hook salvaging only. You'll need to rely on crew members and multiple hooks for efficiency.
Success rate increases with your Sailing level. At 73 (minimum), you'll succeed ~70-75% of attempts. At 80+, this increases to ~80-85%. At 90+, expect 90%+ success rate. Higher-tier hooks (Rune vs Iron) also slightly improve success rates.
Mercenary Shipwrecks are superior once unlocked. They offer 127 XP vs 95 XP per salvage (33% more XP) and drop more valuable loot. While Pirate wrecks have double spots, the raw XP and GP from Mercenary wrecks make them the better choice for levels 73-90.
Very profitable! With optimal setup and High Alchemy, you can earn 140-170k GP/hr while getting 80-115k XP/hr. This makes them one of the few Sailing methods where you actively profit instead of spending money on training.
Jenkins is highly recommended but not required. He automates one salvaging hook, increasing your effective salvage rate by 40-50%. This boosts both XP/hr and GP/hr significantly. Unlock him at 40 Sailing from The Pandemonium port.
Yes! The Crystal Extractor provides +16% XP to ALL Sailing activities, including salvaging. It's one of the best investments for high-level training. Place it directly in front of your helm (Sloop) or beside it (Skiff). → Full placement guide
All three locations offer identical XP and loot. Choose based on convenience: Location 1 (West of Isle of Serpents) is closest to The Pandemonium for banking. Location 2 (SW Southern Expanse) is quietest with least competition. Location 3 (SW of Sunbleak) is central for exploring.
High Alch it! Each piece alchs for ~1,223 GP. This is more profitable than selling on the GE due to low trade volume. Bring Nature Runes and alch while sailing between wrecks or while waiting for respawns.
Moderately AFK. Each salvage attempt takes ~3-4 seconds. With Jenkins and 2 hooks, you can maintain 2-3 minutes of semi-AFK play before needing to reposition. Build a Salvaging Station to eliminate banking trips for fully AFK sessions.
No, shipwrecks are infinite. You can salvage the same wreck indefinitely. However, you may experience "depletion" where salvage attempts temporarily fail more often if you stay too long. Move between the 3 locations or world hop to maintain optimal rates.
Yes! Merchant Shipwrecks offer 159 XP per salvage (vs 127) and better loot (~1,800 GP per item). They also have a double salvaging spot. Upgrade to Merchants as soon as you hit 91 Sailing for maximum efficiency.
