Start by diving near islands with a plastic hook to collect scrap deposits, watch for sharks while searching shallow waters and coral reefs, they'll give you about 20 pieces per spot. Keep an eye out for floating barrels and crates while sailing, easy pickups that add up over time.

Efficient setup means building collection nets in a 15-block wing pattern with 5-block depth, this creates passive gathering while you explore or work on other tasks. You'll need quite a bit for basic equipment like the research table, smelter and storage components, so combining active diving with net collection is your best strategy. Good to know - dirt piles on islands often hide scrap too but make sure you've got enough inventory space before heading underwater.