Guide by Martin Stricks

This guide outlines a realistic and efficient approach to cutting a Mackerel-class ship in Hardspace: Shipbreaker. The method emphasizes safety, speed, and high retrieval efficiency (~97%), while avoiding overly tedious steps.

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Phase 1: Initial Preparation

• Start by removing the external antenna.
• Use the structural scanner to locate the airlock and analyze cabin layout.
• Remove only one auxiliary hull panel to maintain structure.
• Decompress the main cabin using the airlock. Prioritize venting pressure safely.

Pressure Venting

• Look for obstructions in the main cabin that could trap pressure.
• Remove obstructive objects before venting side compartments.
• For inaccessible crawlspaces (no hatch), use pressure release via stern nanocarbon sections:
  • Find and cut the final cut point while holding onto a surface.
  • Let pressure safely separate the heavy stern.

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Phase 2: Fuel System & Cabin Access

• Use airlock cycling to ensure any remaining H-pressure is cleared.
• Flush fuel lines before any cutting.
• Avoid cutting near fuel tanks to prevent accidental ignition.
• Use tethers to move heavy fuel tanks to the barge safely.

Bridge Hazards

• Leaking coolant tanks attached to the bridge should be noted but not moved unless necessary.

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Phase 3: Hull Disassembly

• Disconnect nacelles and use their connected fuel lines to pull entire ship sides into the processor.
• When removing the reactor, ensure fuel has already been flushed. Small explosions may occur, but are non-lethal if fuel is drained.

Pro Tips:

• Cargo hatches are often mistaken for standard panels but yield significant profit.
• Flushing and cutting fuel lines is safer than risking spontaneous combustion.

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Phase 4: Internal Salvage

• Top and bottom hull panels should be removed to allow easy item transfer to the barge.
• Don’t obsess over small non-furnace items left inside panels unless highly valuable.
• Glass in the bow section is valuable; remove it before processing hull section.

Using the Split Saw:

• Align carefully to avoid cutting into unintended material.
• Use muscle memory to guide valuable components into the barge gently.

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Phase 5: Final Cleanup

• Reorient the bridge module downward to align with barge.
• Work front to back, detaching and pushing components individually.
• Valuable bridge objects (computers, fuel tanks, etc.) should be removed with caution.
• Perform multiple scans to ensure nothing remains.

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Conclusion

• All steps are fully applicable to Career Mode.
• Avoid unnecessary micromanagement and aim for efficient, safe cuts.
• Complete work orders and maximize returns with minimal loss.

Good luck out there, Cutter!