The method becomes viable once you reach Level 50 Sailing and unlock the Sloop, a huge upgrade from RuneScape gold earlier vessels.

Why the Sloop is essential:

Supports two salvaging hooks instead of one

Let's you park both crew members at separate sides of the ship

Allows simultaneous salvaging from multiple wrecks

Offers increased cargo space and quality-of-life improvements

This combination creates a perfect storm for long-duration AFK gameplay-something rare in OSRS.

How the AFK Salvaging Cycle Works

Once your crew is hired and your Sloop is ready, the method becomes incredibly simple:

Approach a pair of shipwrecks.

Nearly every shipwreck on the map has another one close by. If you're mid-game or higher, you'll always find a pair.

Position your Sloop between the two wrecks.

Your goal is to sit exactly in the middle so both salvage points fall within range of your hooks.

Assign each crew member to a side.

Open crew commands

Select Other Facility

Send one to port, the other to starboard

Your crew begins salvaging automatically.

Every time they reel something up, you gain Sailing XP

Salvaged items are added to your cargo hold instantly

When one wreck is depleted, the crew automatically moves to the next

Go fully AFK for up to 25 minutes.

The cycle continues until both wrecks despawn and respawn. Your crew will wait patiently and begin working again once they reappear.

The beauty of this method is in its consistency. Your crew members behave exactly as instructed, never wandering and never needing any micro-management.

What to Do After Your AFK Timer Ends

After your 25-minute interval is up, you'll return to a full cargo hold. At this point:

Sail to your salvaging station

Sort through everything your crew collected

Keep the materials you need

Drop or sell the rest

Then simply reposition your ship again and repeat.

This method produces:

Reliable passive Sailing XP

A steady stream of salvage items

Minimal effort for maximum value

It's ideal for players who are working, studying, or multitasking on a second monitor.

Crew Upgrades & Progression

As you continue training and levelling up, more advanced crew members become available. Higher-tier sailors offer better efficiency, faster salvaging speeds, and stronger bonuses. Some upcoming crew options include:

Adventure AA

Cabin Boy Jenkins

These aren't required for the basic method, but swapping into cheap OSRS GP upgraded crew whenever possible will improve your experience per hour and ensure you're ready for later Sailing content.