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Singing Catfish
March 25, 2026 at 08:38 PM
Initial version: comprehensive Singing Catfish pirate ship article
The Singing Catfish is a large pirate ship anchored in the waters south of the Vellua coastline in Crimson Desert. Visible from shore as a full-sail vessel sitting just out of reach, the ship serves as a floating stronghold for a crew of pirates who have claimed the surrounding waters as their territory. The ship cannot be boarded by swimming, and reaching it requires players to locate a rowboat and navigate a treacherous minefield of explosive sea mines.
The Singing Catfish is one of the most rewarding optional exploration encounters in the game. Players who successfully board the vessel and defeat its pirate defenders can claim a variety of valuables, including the coveted Pirate King Hat, a unique piece of Headgear with a special passive ability that helps locate hidden treasure throughout the world. The ship is not tied to any specific quest, making it a purely optional but highly rewarding destination for adventurous players.
The Singing Catfish sits in the open sea to the south of Vellua, a fishing village located along the coast. From the town itself, the ship is clearly visible on the horizon, but it is far too distant to reach by swimming. Any attempt to swim out will result in stamina depletion long before reaching the vessel.
The ship is positioned near the Vellua Coast Shipwreck map marker. To find the boat needed to reach it, players should travel east from Vellua along the coastline until they reach a small cove with a beach. A rowboat rests on the sand at this location, and it is the only practical means of sailing out to the Singing Catfish.
Nearby points of interest include the Sea Hay Shipwreck, which lies to the southwest of the Singing Catfish. That sunken wreck contains the Witter's Plate Helm and can be visited on the same rowing trip if players wish to collect both rewards in a single outing.
Getting to the Singing Catfish requires a few careful steps. Before setting out, it is strongly recommended to stock up on food and healing items, as the boarding fight can be tough if you go in unprepared.
Locate the rowboat. From Vellua, head east along the coast. Look for a small cove and beach near the Vellua Coast Shipwreck map marker. A small rowboat sits on the sand at this location. Interact with it to begin rowing.
Navigate through the sea mines. The waters surrounding the Singing Catfish are littered with floating sea mines. These mines explode when you get too close, dealing significant damage. Slalom carefully between them as you row toward the ship. Take your time and steer wide around each mine rather than trying to thread the needle.
Approach from the bow or stern. This is critical. The ship's side batteries (cannons) will fire on anything that comes alongside. If you approach from either side, you will be bombarded by cannon fire. Instead, row toward the front (bow) or back (stern) of the ship, where the cannons cannot target you.
Climb the ladder. Once you have positioned your rowboat at the bow or stern, look for a ladder on the hull. Row up beneath the cannons and use the ladder to climb aboard the ship.
Once you climb aboard the Singing Catfish, you will immediately face a group of hostile pirates. The fight takes place on the cramped upper deck of the ship, which limits your movement options and makes positioning a real challenge.
The regular pirates are not individually very dangerous, but they attack in numbers. Several of them throw grenades, which can deal heavy area damage in the confined deck space. The tight quarters of the ship make it difficult to dodge these explosives, so staying mobile and not getting cornered is important.
The most dangerous enemy on board is the ship's Vice Captain. This enemy is marked with a red star on the minimap, distinguishing him from the regular crew. The Vice Captain hits harder and has more health than the standard pirates, making him a significant threat if you try to fight everyone at once.
The recommended strategy is to avoid the Vice Captain initially while you clear out the regular pirates first. Once the crew has been dealt with, you can focus your full attention on the Vice Captain without worrying about being overwhelmed by additional attackers. See the Combat Tips page for general advice on handling group encounters.
The Singing Catfish contains several sources of loot scattered across the ship. The cabins on the upper deck hold various valuables and items worth collecting, but the real prize is located below deck.
The most important reward on the ship is the Pirate King Hat. To find it, head down the stairs from the upper deck to the lower deck. Look for a door leading to a room with a treasure chest. Open the chest to claim the hat.
The Pirate King Hat is a unique piece of Headgear with the following properties:
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Type | Headgear (Armor) |
Defense | 3 |
Special Effect | Detect Treasure |
Sell Price | 14.75 Silver Coins |
The Detect Treasure passive is what makes this hat so valuable. When equipped, the feather on the hat will glow whenever a treasure chest is nearby. This visual indicator makes it significantly easier to find hidden chests throughout the world, which in turn provides access to more loot and rare items. For players who enjoy exploration, the Pirate King Hat is one of the most useful items in the game.
Beyond the Pirate King Hat, the ship's cabins contain various other items. Search thoroughly through every room on both the upper and lower decks to collect everything. The loot includes crafting materials, consumables, and silver coins. While these items are not as unique as the hat, they add up to a worthwhile haul.
While you have a rowboat out on the water, it is worth visiting the nearby Sea Hay Shipwreck, which is located to the southwest of the Singing Catfish. This sunken shipwreck contains the Witter's Plate Helm, another unique piece of equipment. Since both locations require a boat to access, tackling them in a single trip saves time and avoids having to row back out again later.
Bring food and healing items. The pirate fight can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties. Stock up before you set sail.
Never approach from the sides. The ship's cannons fire broadside and will destroy your rowboat or kill you if you approach from the left or right. Always come in from the front or rear of the vessel.
Take your time with the mines. There is no timer or pressure to reach the ship quickly. Row slowly and give each sea mine a wide berth. Getting hit by a mine wastes health you will need for the fight on deck.
Kill the regular pirates first. The Vice Captain (red star on minimap) is tougher than the rest. Clearing the weaker enemies first prevents you from being overwhelmed while fighting the stronger foe.
Watch for grenade throwers. Some pirates throw grenades that deal heavy area damage. Keep moving on the deck and do not stand still in one spot for too long.
Equip the Pirate King Hat immediately. The Detect Treasure passive is useful everywhere in the game. Even if the hat's defense stat is low, the ability to find hidden chests makes it worth wearing whenever you are exploring.
Visit the Sea Hay Shipwreck on the same trip. Since you already have a boat, row southwest from the Singing Catfish to reach the shipwreck and collect the Witter's Plate Helm before returning to shore.
Search every room. Do not rush off the ship after grabbing the Pirate King Hat. The cabins on both decks contain additional valuables that are easy to miss if you leave too quickly.
The Singing Catfish is one of the few locations in Crimson Desert that requires a boat to reach, making it a unique exploration challenge.
The ship's name is a playful reference to the nearby fishing village of Vellua, combining the aquatic theme of the region with the pirate occupation of the vessel.
The sea mines surrounding the ship serve as both a navigation hazard and a lore detail, suggesting the pirates placed them deliberately to protect their stronghold from intruders.
