Public Test v0.8.7 Now Live - The Largest Update Yet

Class 4 Service Operation Ship & Deployable Daughter Crafts, Dynamic Positioning, New Mission & Gameplay Improvements

Ahoy Captains,

Finally, it's here! For the past few months, we have been working hard on one of the most ambitious updates we have ever created for Ships At Sea.

At the heart of this Public Test is our operational offshore vessel, the Class 4 mini SOV (IMT 9604). For the first time, players can deploy and recover support craft using fully animated davit systems, operate a Dynamic Positioning (DP2) system, and transfer crew using the Z-Bridge Bring-to-Work system. Combined with advanced propulsion systems such as azimuth thrusters, this vessel represents a major step forward for Ships At Sea.

Beyond the Class 4 SOV, this Public Test introduces dedicated servers supporting up to 16 players, towing wind farm components, expanded character customization, reworked skill tree, redesigned shipyard and dry dock user interface, and a collection of new vessel systems and instruments.

We have also continued investing heavily in the foundations of Ships At Sea. This update brings improvements to buoyancy, vessel physics, water simulation, wave foam, lighting, weather effects, multiplayer replication, performance, and overall world immersion.

In addition, we have begun expanding our audio and animation systems to include new vessel engine sounds, ocean ambience, walking sounds, crane audio, NPC animations, and various interaction improvements. These are all part of our ongoing effort to make the world feel more alive, immersive, and believable.

Finally, we are proud to welcome Longitude Engineering, Z-Bridge, and Steerprop as new partners to Ships At Sea. Together, they bring authentic offshore vessel design, state-of-the-art crew transfer technology, and advanced propulsion systems. These new additions represent another step toward our goal of delivering the most immersive maritime ship simulation experience possible, and we can't wait for you to try them out during the Public Test.

Back up your Save File

As usual, to avoid any potential issues, we strongly recommend backing up your save files before joining to the Public Test version v0.8.7

To find your Steam for Ships At Sea saves:

Press Win + R to open the Run Window Paste the following path: %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/Sas/Saved/SaveGames into the field Press OK

To try the PUBLIC TEST, please follow these steps:

Open Steam Right-click on Ships At Sea in your library Select Properties Go to the Betas tab Enter the password: SaSPublicTest Choose "public_test" from the "Beta participation" drop-down list Wait for the game to update the files (if nothing happens, restart the Steam client) Launch the game

Note: Also, remember to verify the integrity of game files via Steam to avoid issues.

Class 4 mini SOV Vessel Has Arrived

The new Class 4 Wind Farm Operation Vessel, IMT 9604, represents one of the most ambitious vessels we have ever developed.

Designed around offshore wind farm operations and cooperative gameplay, this vessel introduces a completely new level of interaction between vessels, onboard systems, and up to 10 players simultaneously. The Class 4 Wind Farm Supply Ship is built to serve as a floating offshore operations platform.

Its support craft are physically integrated into the vessel and operated through fully animated davit systems. Players can deploy, operate, and recover the craft as part of normal vessel operations, creating a more hands-on and immersive offshore experience. When combined with the Dynamic Positioning (DP) system and the Z-Bridge crew transfer system, crews can carry out realistic offshore operations that require planning, coordination, and teamwork.

Players can:

Operate the davit systems Deploy support crafts Recover the support craft back on board

Both davits are fully animated and operational, allowing players to physically launch and recover craft during offshore activities.

The vessel currently supports:

Dynamic Positioning (DP) Advanced propulsion systems and twin stern Azimuth Thruster units One Bow Tunnel Thruster unit Z-Bridge crew transfer operations Two independent support crafts

In multiplayer, one crew can remain aboard the mother vessel while another team operates a support craft independently, allowing multiple operations to take place simultaneously. These systems have also been designed with single-player captains in mind. Features such as Dynamic Positioning allow players to secure their vessel in position before deploying support craft.

The vessel is already operational and ready for testing during the Public Test phase, while development continues on additional interiors, such as crew areas, and on completing the bridge systems, machinery and engine room, animations, and gameplay features.

Welcome Longitude Engineering, Z-Bridge & Steerprop

Today, we are proud to welcome three new maritime industry partners to Ships At Sea, and all three are represented aboard our new Class 4 mini SOV (IMT 9604).

Longitude Engineering

Longitude Engineering joins Ships At Sea as the licensing partner behind our new Class 4 Service Operation Vessel. Their IMT 9604 design represents a modern offshore service vessel which can run on methanol and marine diesel fuel, built for demanding offshore operations, particularly within the offshore wind industry. The vessel serves as the foundation for many of the new gameplay systems we want to introduce in the upcoming updates.

Z-Bridge

We are also excited to welcome Z-Bridge to Ships At Sea.

The IMT 9604 is equipped with the innovative Z-Bridge Bring-to-Work system, a motion-compensated offshore access solution designed to safely transfer crew or small cargo between vessels and offshore structures. You can already test and operate the Z-Bridge during the Public Test.

While it works similarly to a crane, it offers additional functionality, allowing operators to tilt the arm and move the gondola up and down while transporting crew members from the control cabin . The gondola can also be operated through the control panel located on the gondola.

Steerprop

We are proud to welcome Steerprop , a manufacturer of advanced marine propulsion and vessel control systems.

The Class 4 Mini SOV is equipped with twin Steerprop azimuth thruster located at the stern, providing excellent manoeuvrability and precise vessel control during offshore operations. These stern azimuth thrusters, presented in the image below, are fully implemented and can already be tested during the Public Test.

The vessel's bow tunnel thruster and retractable azimuth thruster have also been modelled as part of the propulsion system. However, their full functionality, along with dedicated propulsion control panels based on Steerprop technology, will be introduced later.

Once completed, these systems will further enhance vessel handling and provide players with an even deeper offshore vessel operating experience.

Thruster Systems

Unlike conventional vessels that rely on rudders for steering, azimuth thrusters can rotate 360 degrees, combining propulsion and steering into a single system. This provides exceptional manoeuvrability during harbour operations, offshore work, and docking.

One characteristic of azimuth thrusters is that they operate differently from conventional rudder-controlled vessels. Rather than controlling a rudder, operators control the direction of thrust itself, which can initially feel unfamiliar to players accustomed to traditional ship handling.

To accommodate different player preferences, we have added an Invert Azimuth Thruster Rotation option in the game settings. By default, this option is enabled to provide a control scheme that may feel more familiar to players transitioning from conventional vessels. Players who wish to experience azimuth thruster operation more closely to real-world offshore vessels can simply disable this setting. This allows each player to choose the control method they find most comfortable.

Types of Thrusters

Bow Tunnel Thruster – Provides sideways bow movement for docking and harbour manoeuvres.

Azimuth Thrusters – A fully rotating 360° propulsion system used for propulsion, steering, station keeping, and offshore operations.

The Class 4 vessel features a Steerprop propulsion package consisting of twin stern azimuth thrusters , a bow tunnel thruster , and a retractable bow azimuth thruster .

During the Public Test, players will be able to experience the vessel's twin stern azimuth thrusters and bow tunnel thruster , including the unique handling characteristics of azimuth-based propulsion and steering.

The licensed Steerprop propulsion control stations, dedicated thruster displays, independent port and starboard thruster controls, and retractable azimuth thruster functionality are currently under development. While the control panel models have already been completed, their functionality, especially the independent control of each stern azimuth thruster, will be introduced in the upcoming update.

Below, you can get a first look at the upcoming licensed Steerprop main propulsion control panels that will later allow operators to independently control and monitor the vessel's azimuth thrusters.

Dynamic Positioning (DP2) System

The Class 4 SOV introduces one of the most advanced vessel systems ever featured in Ships At Sea: the Dynamic Positioning Class 2 (DP2) system.

Unlike an autopilot, which follows a predefined course, the DP system automatically maintains the vessel's position and heading without the use of anchors. Once activated, the system continuously compensates for wind, waves, currents, and vessel drift by controlling the vessel's thrusters and propulsion systems.

The IMT 9604 is equipped with two licensed NorSap DP operator stations , one on the port side and one on the starboard side, providing the redundancy required for DP2 operations.

When sailing in transit, players can move the vessel to a desired offshore position and enable Fixation on the DP display. Once enabled, the DP system takes over, holding the vessel at that position and heading.

If fine adjustments are needed, the operator can use the joysticks to manually input movement or reposition the vessel. The DP system then calculates the new target position and heading, takes control of the main propulsion and thrusters, and moves the vessel to the updated location before holding station again.

The left joystick controls the vessel's lateral movement (port and starboard), while the right joystick controls longitudinal movement (forward and astern) as well as rotational movement around the vessel's vertical axis (heading/yaw)

The DP display provides an overview of the vessel’s position, heading, wind conditions, and propulsion information. The vessel silhouette on the display helps players understand the ship's position and how the DP system maintains station at that centre.

Currently, the DP system uses the stern-mounted azimuth thrusters and bow tunnel thruster. In a future update, players will also be able to use the retractable azimuth thruster.

[carousel] [/carousel] The video below demonstrates how manual position adjustments are performed while Dynamic Positioning is active. The vessel silhouette displayed on the DP screen represents the vessel's current position and heading relative to its target location.

When the operator provides a manual input using the DP joysticks, a new target position is established. The DP system then automatically calculates the required manoeuvre and commands the vessel's propulsion and thruster systems to move the ship to the new location. Once the vessel reaches the updated position, the DP system resumes station-keeping and continues to maintain the selected position and heading.

Detailed information about the Dynamic Positioning (DP) system and its display functions can be found in the in-game Help page.

Deployable Support Craft

The support crafts can be purchased and added to the Class 4 mini SOV vessel through the Dry Dock, where they are physically mounted aboard the ship and become part of your offshore operations setup.

Players can also purchase and operate the support craft independently through the Shipyard.

As part of our ongoing development efforts, additional immersion features are already being prepared. The new engine lever holding animations have been completed and will be introduced in a future update once their implementation and functionality have been finalized.

Waterjet Propulsion Systems

The Support Vessel introduces waterjet propulsion systems.

Unlike conventional propellers, waterjets provide exceptional manoeuvrability, rapid acceleration, and excellent shallow-water performance. To support these advanced propulsion systems, we are introducing an entirely new set of instruments and controls with the Support Vessel 2, giving players greater control over vessel handling than ever before.

Jet Direction Gauges

Jet Direction Gauges display the current steering angle of the waterjet nozzles and indicate the direction of thrust.

Nozzle Trim Control

For the first time, players can actively adjust the trim position of the waterjet nozzles.

The new Nozzle Trim Control allows operators to fine-tune the running attitude of the vessel by changing the direction of the waterjet thrust. Trimming the nozzles downward raises the bow, while trimming upward lowers it.

Setting the correct trim setting can significantly improve:

Vessel stability Maneuverability Ride comfort

Different sea conditions and operating speeds may require different trim settings, giving captains another layer of control over how their vessel behaves on the water. The Nozzle Trim Gauges indicate the current trim setting and whether the vessel is operating in a Bow Up or Bow Down attitude.

Since the Class 2 Service Boat is equipped with waterjet propulsion, too, it also features fully functional Nozzle Trim Controls and Nozzle Trim Gauges .

Propulsion & Craft Status Display

The vessel is also equipped with a dedicated Propulsion & Craft Status Display providing quick access to important vessel information, including:

Speed Water depth Engine RPM Gear status Fuel level Engine status

Together, these new systems deliver a more advanced and authentic vessel-operation experience to Ships At Sea while laying the foundation for future propulsion technologies and vessel systems.

Dedicated Servers Evolve – Up to 16 Players

Dedicated Servers first arrived in Ships At Sea with Update v0.8.6, laying the foundation for larger multiplayer operations and persistent maritime communities in the future.

With Update v0.8.7, we are taking the next step by increasing server capacity from 8 to 16 players, allowing larger companies, more active ports, and bigger maritime operations than ever before. Whether you're running a fishing company, coordinating offshore operations, or simply exploring the world together, dedicated servers now provide even more room for cooperative gameplay.

To support this expansion, we are introducing Linux support for dedicated servers .

For players who prefer renting servers rather than hosting them themselves, we have partnered with several dedicated server providers:

4Netplayers GPORTAL BisectHosting

Once Update v0.8.7 is officially released, Ships At Sea will officially be available through these hosting partners.

To access the Public Test Dedicated Server

Use the branch password SaSPublicTest to access and download the Public Test Server version of the dedicated server if you want to check it out for yourself.

Note: Remember to back up your autosaves on the server!

This branch is available for both:

Linux dedicated servers Windows dedicated servers

We have also improved the self-hosting experience by including example configuration files in the folder: SAS\\Saved\\Config\\WindowsServer and a setup guide SAS\\Binaries\\Win64\\Readme.txt , making it easier to configure and launch dedicated servers without needing to search through external documentation or our support pages. Server administrators can also add custom server descriptions to better communicate their server's purpose to other players.

This Public Test is especially important as we continue to stress-test larger player counts, improve replication and performance for multiple and larger vessels, refine server stability, and prepare the next generation of multiplayer experiences in Ships At Sea.

Improved Water Simulation, Buoyancy & Vessel Physics

The sea is at the heart of Ships At Sea, which is why we continue investing heavily in our buoyancy system, water simulation, and vessel handling. With this update, we have further improved vessel behaviour through better collision handling, steering improvements, propulsion tuning, and numerous stability fixes across the fleet.

A major part of this work has been our continued development of the water mask system. The new approach significantly improves how vessels interact with the ocean by preventing water from entering lower decks and enclosed areas, while also enhancing visual fidelity and damping effects as vessels ride through waves. The result is a more believable experience both visually and physically.

We have also continued improving multiplayer vessel synchronisation by reducing jitter and movement inconsistencies on dedicated servers, while further refining vessel movement and stability across the game. This provides a smoother and more stable experience for both single-player and multiplayer operations.

The ocean itself has also received additional attention, with improved foam simulation and visuals, as well as performance improvements to parts of the water simulation. Further water shader improvements are already underway as we continue to enhance the visual quality and realism of the ocean.

Combined with improvements to lighting, wind response, environmental effects, and vessel physics, these changes continue to strengthen the foundation of the maritime ship simulation we are building as Ships At Sea continues to grow and evolve.

Shipyard & Dry Dock Improvements

Based on player feedback, we have reintroduced the Shipyard to Ships At Sea.

Players can once again visit the shipyards across the map to purchase, customize, and manage Class 1 to Class 3 vessels. For larger vessels, including the new Class 4 Offshore Wind Farm Support Vessel and future large ship classes, the Dry Dock remains the primary hub for vessel management and upgrades.

Both the Shipyard and Dry Dock have received visual improvements, updated lighting, and general layout enhancements. The Shipyard has been expanded to better accommodate larger Class 3 vessels, while the Dry Dock now features a new lift , making it much easier to access the facility's lower level.

New User Interface

In addition, both the Shipyard and Dry Dock have received a completely redesigned User Interface and functionality.

Players can now preview vessels before purchase, inspect them more closely using improved camera controls, customize vessel colours, and get a better overview of available upgrades, licensed ships and equipment.

We have also improved the vessel selling process by providing a more transparent transaction overview, allowing players to clearly see what is included when selling a vessel.

Further improvements are already in development, further camera improvements, improved vessel presentation, more functionality and dedicated preview lighting to better showcase vessels and equipment while browsing and customizing them.

Character Customization Expanded

Character customization continues to evolve in Ships At Sea. While there is always room for improvement, this update introduces expanded character customisation options, allowing players to select different faces, new clothing, adjust eye and hair colours, choose different haircuts, customize clothing colours, and create a more personalised…