What are RUST PT Boats?
The RUST PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo Boat), introduced in February of 2026 as part of the Naval Update, is a Cobalt Patrol vehicle in the Deep Sea intended to hinder player operations and harass anyone they consider not friendly. Before you get your hopes up, there are no plans at this time to actually make this torpedo boat capable of deploying torpedoes. Its name is based on overall aesthetics.
While Rowboats, RHIBs, Solo Submarines, and Duo Submarines can be purchased by players for Scrap at both small and large fishing villages, the PT Boat holds the distinction of only being acquirable via Deep Sea combat, requiring players to assault and take over the vessel instead of buying it.
Of the five default boat types, excluding Player-Made Boats, PT Boats have the highest seating capacity, with 7 seats. It is also the only non-player-made boat that may enter and exit the Deep Sea zone.
The RUST PT Boat can only be obtained through combat, theft, or a combination of the two, and will have 50 Low Grade Fuel upon acquisition from scientists. Boats acquired in this way also have pre-loaded loot in their storage compartment, usually consisting of a gun body component or some sort, Flares, small stashes of medical supplies, or a lower-tier gun.
The PT Boat can hold seven players: a skipper in charge of directionality and the fuel storage, five center passengers flanking the skipper, the bow gunner at the nose of the ship, and finally the rear gunner facing behind the boat. While sitting on the boat, the passengers will have full control over their hotbar functions, including the ability to swing, eat, med, or shoot. The skipper will be limited to maneuvering and accessing the onboard fuel storage while the vehicle is in motion. Gunner positions are limited to the capacity to fire or reload.
Although RUST PT Boats use Low-Grade Fuel to operate, a player is able to push the vehicle when it is beached, floating, or stuck.
Be warned: when pushing the PT Boat, you will quickly burn a considerable number of calories (3 per push). Bring extra food if you plan to push it for any reason.
As mentioned, you can alternatively acquire one of these boats by “borrowing” one from any waterfront property that might have neglected to keep it behind a door. The PT Boat has no lock feature, so be sure to guard your new acquisition carefully.
As with any other vehicle type, there are specific names for the individual parts that make up a vehicle. While some of these aren’t absolutely pertinent to the game or operation of the PT Boat, they might be referenced at some point in this guide.
Bow / Bow Gunner – front-most section with a twin-mounted .50 caliber machine gun modeled after what looks to be an M2 Browning. Maximum capacity 200 rounds. Link M9 metal link belt-fed loading system.
Torpedo Racks – there should be side-mounted launch tubes near the bow, used for striking larger vessels. In this application, the developer inverted tube sections and used them as boat accents.
Pilot House / Helm – enclosed control area with steering wheel, throttle, and navigation gear; where the skipper operates the boat, can access Storage to his right
Utility Shield – minimal protection in front of the helm, deflects spray and small arms fire, but also greatly minimizes visibility
Radar Mast – vertical pole with radar dish or antenna, used for navigation and enemy detection
Center Deck / Crew Station – middle area with limited access to see the fuel tanks but not open them, as well as the storage onboard and capacity to swap between crew seating
Port – left side of the boat when facing forward
Starboard – right side of the boat when facing forward
Stern / Rear Gunner – aft-most section with a single .50 caliber machine gun modeled after what looks to be an M2 Browning. Maximum capacity 100 rounds. Link M9 metal link belt-fed loading system.
Rear Radar and Communications Mast – decorative navigation and target acquisition gizmo with no apparent game use. Looks cool.
Tail Motor / Rudder Assembly – dual rear propulsion and steering system, simulates real-world directional control
Stash / Supply Locker – onboard storage for fuel, weapons, and survival gear, located just to the right of the driver’s seat
PT Boat Fuel System
The RUST PT Boat can hold up to 500 Low Grade Fuel on a standard Vanilla server. It will consume 1 Low Grade Fuel every 3 seconds, allowing you to maintain full speed in the water for a little over 41 minutes on a full tank. Contrary to popular belief, the PT Boat does NOT use fuel when the engine is on but not moving.
The PT Boat can be refueled both while stationary and while moving. Be careful; if an active skipper isn’t seated, other players can open the fuel tank and steal its contents. They can also hop into the front passenger’s seat if it’s empty and loot the onboard storage, so be mindful of those around you, both above and below water.
Refueling
Have the appropriate Low Grade Fuel in your inventory.
Position yourself at the boat’s steering wheel, located just above a red fuel tank.
Look straight down.
Press the E key on the fuel tank to open the Fuel Storage screen.
Insert the Low Grade Fuel into the Fuel Storage slot.
You’ve now refueled the PT Boat.
PT Boat Controls
The PT Boat is the first step up from a standard Rowboat. While it functions basically the same with regard to controls, players will find that its ability to make sharp turns is a little more involved and less responsive, but it makes up for the lack of maneuverability and clunkiness with additional speed.
Skipper Controls:
In the Skipper’s seat, look at the fueled engine and press E to Start Engine
Hold W to accelerate forward
Hold A to bear left
Hold S to bear right
Hold D to go in reverse
In the Skipper’s seat, look at the fueled engine and press E to Stop Engine
All Seats
Hold Left Alt + Mouse to look around
SPACEBAR to leave the vehicle
X to swap seats
PT Boat Repair & Decay
Repair
The RUST PT Boat can be repaired 30 seconds after it last took damage. This requires using a Hammer and having Wood and Metal Fragments in your inventory. Each repair swing will repair up to 50.5 damage. Any passenger can repair the PT Boat while moving.
Decay Rates
The PT Boat starts with 1000 health and will slowly decay over 180 minutes while outside, with a 45-minute delay from the moment it is purchased or spawned before this 180-minute window begins. If left in deep water, full decay will occur after 120 minutes.
If sheltered (roof overhead), the PT Boat will last indefinitely, or until the base is raided and the roof is long since destroyed. Housing a PT Boat is a bit more technical than something like a Rowboat, as it’s wider than a double-door entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
My PT Boat was destroyed. What happens to the fuel that was in the tank?When a PT Boat is completely destroyed, all fuel in the fuel container is lost. This is true of both impact destruction and simple decay. However, things stored in the front of the boat should appear as a lootable floating box when the boat is destroyed.
What happens if the Cargo Ship hits my PT Boat?While cargo will not directly destroy your PT Boat, the PT Boat can get caught in its immediate wake and/or gravity, and players onboard can be damaged and even immediately killed as a result. Approach cautiously.
Do PT Boats have lights for night operations?Yes, PT boats have built-in lighting that the skipper can turn on or off via the F key by default. Not very optimized, though.
Can you fit a PT Boat in a Scrap Helicopter?We don’t got clearance, Clarence.
Can the PT Boat fit through garage doors?Not so much. She is a bit wide and fits much better through a stone or wooden gate.
Does a destroyed PT Boat leave behind harvestable components for resources?No, it just turns dark brown and then sinks through the world.
