Putting Doors On Your Tug Boat: A Rust Guide

The Tugboat is a new watercraft in Rust that players can use to travel across the sea. It is a rare and strong vehicle with over 3000hp. Players can claim ownership of the Tugboat and place doors on it to make it a floating stronghold. However, it is not immune to damage and can be raided or demolished. The Tugboat is the only vehicle in Rust that has building privileges, allowing players to place deployables within it.

How to claim a tugboat in Rust

Tugboats were added to Rust as part of the Deep Sea update, and they can be used as a mobile base for your team. To claim a tugboat in Rust, follow these steps:

Find a Tugboat

Head to any of the Harbors featured on your map. Tugboats will be docked there, with around one or two tugboats spawning per harbor.

Board the Tugboat

Once you've found a tugboat, simply board it and go to the control room or the Captain's Quarters. Here, you can start the engine.

Authorize Yourself

To claim the tugboat as your own, you need to authorize yourself. Hold the USE key (usually "E") while at the helm to bring up the Options Wheel. Once the wheel appears, head to Authorize to claim the tugboat.

Power the Engine

As mentioned by Jade Monkey in their guide, you will need to deposit low-grade fuel to power the engine and drive your tugboat.

Customize Your Tugboat (Optional)

After claiming your tugboat, you can customize it by adding doors, deployables, and other items. You can add beds, sleeping bags, furnaces, drop boxes, storage boxes, repair benches, vending machines, and workbenches. However, nothing electrical can be housed on the tugboat for safety reasons.

Remember that the tugboat is vulnerable to attacks from other players, so ensure you build up its defences. Additionally, tugboats will decay over time, so regular maintenance is required to keep them in good condition.

Where to find tugboats

To find tugboats in Rust, you need to head to the Harbors on your map. There are two variations of the Harbor monument in Rust, and both have two individual spawn points for tugboats. You can expect to find around two tugboats per harbor.

The tugboat is a new addition to Rust and is the largest player-controlled aquatic vehicle in the game. It functions as a floating, securable, and movable base for players. Unlike other boats in Rust, the tugboat cannot be purchased from Fishing Village monument vendors. It must be found at spawn points or acquired from other players.

When venturing out to find a tugboat, remember to bring Low Grade Fuel as it is necessary to operate the boat. Also, keep in mind that tugboats will decay 36 hours after spawning into the game. This decay timer resets if the boat is interacted with by any player, delaying decay by another 24 hours.

Placing doors on tugboats

The tugboat in Rust features three doorways that can be utilized by authorized users. These doorways provide entry points to the bridge and the downstairs storage room. Authorized users can place doors and locks on these entrances to secure the tugboat's interior.

To become an authorized user, players need to gain building privileges by interacting with the steering wheel, similar to how a tool cupboard functions. This authorization will allow players to place doors and locks on the designated entrances.

It is important to note that the downstairs storage room offers additional placement options for items such as bags, boxes, furnaces, lockers, and workbenches. However, the placement of certain items, such as turrets and traps, may be subject to change or limitation by the developers.

When a tugboat reaches zero hit points, it will slowly sink to the seafloor and remain there for two hours before despawning. During this time, any deployed doors will remain functional but can be destroyed to access any loot within.

Deployables and traps

When it comes to deployables and traps on your tugboat in Rust, there are a variety of options to consider. Firstly, it's important to note that the ability to place certain traps and deployables on boats, such as tugboats, may be patched or changed by the developers over time. However, as of now, there are several options available to enhance your boat's defences and functionality.

One key consideration is the use of traps. For example, players have discussed the possibility of placing shotgun traps, auto turrets, and flame turrets on boats. These traps can provide automated defences against enemies. However, it's worth noting that some players have expressed concerns about the balance of allowing certain traps on boats, and the developers may adjust this in the future.

Another option to consider is the use of electricity to power certain deployables. While boats may not have direct access to electricity, players have suggested using solar panels, generators, or charged batteries to provide power. This can enable the use of certain deployables that require electricity, such as lights or electrical defences.

In addition to traps and electricity, there are other deployables to consider. For example, players have suggested placing workbenches, boxes, and refineries on boats. These can provide additional functionality and storage space for your resources and crafting needs. However, it's important to note that without a Tool Cupboard (TC), these items may be vulnerable to being picked up by other players.

Lastly, some players have discussed more unique deployables, such as animal cages that release bears or wolves as a defence mechanism. While these ideas are more creative and less conventional, they showcase the diverse range of possibilities that players are experimenting with in the game.

Preventing tugboat raids

Tugboats in Rust are a great addition to the game, but they come with some challenges, especially when it comes to preventing raids. Here are some strategies to enhance the security of your tugboat and deter potential raiders:

Building an Airlock

Creating an airlock system is a commonly suggested method to enhance security. This involves placing two deployable objects, such as workbenches or vending machines, at the back entrance of the tugboat. This setup will force raiders to break through two layers of defence, giving you more time to react and defend your vessel.

Utilising Safe Zones

Parking your tugboat in a safe zone, such as the fishing village, can provide some protection from attacks. While it is still possible for opponents to torpedo your boat in these areas, it adds an extra layer of difficulty for potential raiders.

Increasing Hit Points (HP)

One suggestion is to massively increase the HP of the tugboat, with a proposed value of 20,000 HP. This would make it much harder for raiders to sink the boat, giving you a better chance of defending your assets.

Adding Electricity and Defenses

Allowing the use of solar panels and batteries to generate electricity on the tugboat would enable players to power defensive structures. This could include auto turrets and even a SAM site for added protection.

Underwater Access

Consider providing access to the tugboat via submarine from beneath. This strategy mirrors the access method for underwater labs and could provide an additional layer of defence, as raiders would need to breach your submarine before reaching the tugboat itself.

Tugboat Exclusivity

Introducing exclusive features to the tugboat, such as a heavy machine gun mounted on the ship's rail, would enhance its defensive capabilities and make it more attractive to players.

Tugboat Storage

Allowing players to compound their tugboats in storage, similar to other boats and cars, would provide a way to keep them safe when offline. This is particularly important, as tugboats are currently vulnerable to raids when players are not actively defending them.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly enhance the security of your tugboat in Rust, making it a more formidable base of operations.

Frequently asked questions