The Private Escort naval contract in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is one of the toughest on Milo van der Graaff’s list. You’re tasked with protecting a cargo ship called the Neptuno through three waves of enemy ships — but first, you have to fight through a Spanish Frigate and a Man o’ War just to reach the contract. This guide covers every step.
- TL;DR
- Private Escort is picked up at Corozal in the Chinchorro region (coordinates 8, 244)
- A Spanish Frigate and a Man o’ War guard the approach — sink both before you can dock
- The job: escort the Neptuno cargo ship safely through three waves of enemy ships
- Base reward is 2,400 Reales
- Bonus reward of 1,200 Reales if the Neptuno keeps above 50% health — total payout is 3,600 Reales
- Stay ahead of the Neptuno, not beside it — intercept threats before they reach the ship
- Watch your Wanted Rank — sinking too many ships fast can draw Pirate Hunters into the fight
How to Unlock Private Escort
Like all naval contracts in the game, Private Escort doesn’t appear on your map right away. You first need to finish This Old Cove, the main story mission in Sequence 4. After that, head to Great Inagua and talk to Milo van der Graaff at the docks to start A Spanish Plague — the very first naval contract. Completing it unlocks all remaining contracts across the Caribbean, including Private Escort. Check out the full naval contracts locations guide for a complete breakdown of every contract and where to find them.
Where to Find Private Escort – Corozal Location
Private Escort starts at Corozal, a small island on the far eastern edge of the map in the Chinchorro region. The coordinates are 8, 244. Corozal sits inside a Hard difficulty zone, so don’t sail out here early in the game expecting an easy ride.
Before you can dock, you need to defeat the two ships guarding the island:
- 1 x Spanish Frigate
- 1 x Man o’ War
This is a tough fight. The Man o’ War is one of the heaviest ships in the game and hits hard. Come prepared. A few tips for breaking through the blockade:
- Open with Mortar fire from long range to chip down the Man o’ War before it gets close
- Focus the Frigate first to reduce incoming fire — the Man o’ War is slower and easier to manage alone
- Drop Fire Barrels in the water as the Man o’ War moves in to punish its approach
- Keep moving in wide circles — don’t stop and trade broadsides with a Man o’ War at close range
If this fight is catching you off guard, your Jackdaw likely needs more upgrades first. The ship upgrade and customisation guide covers what to prioritise, and the final ship upgrade locations guide will help you push the Jackdaw to its full potential before tackling this hard difficulty region.
Starting the Private Escort Contract
Once both ships are down, dock at Corozal. You’ll find Milo’s henchman standing between a palm tree and the Harbourmaster. Speak with him to accept the contract. The job is simple: meet the Neptuno and keep it alive all the way through Spanish-controlled waters.
Here’s the contract breakdown:
- Main Objective: Escort the Neptuno safely
- Base Reward: 2,400 Reales
- Bonus Objective: Keep the Neptuno’s health above 50%
- Bonus Reward: 1,200 Reales
- Total Payout: 3,600 Reales
Before heading out, repair the Jackdaw and restock at the Harbourmaster if the blockade fight drained your supplies. You don’t want to enter a three-wave escort mission at reduced health. Need Reales to fund upgrades? The guide on how to farm Metal and Wood and the crafting guide will help you build up resources fast.
Finding the Neptuno
After accepting the contract, a quest marker appears southeast of Corozal, at roughly coordinates 68, 161. Sail south and you’ll spot the Neptuno waiting between two islands, marked with a blue shield icon so you can’t miss it. It’s an allied cargo ship — don’t fire at it.
Pull out the Spyglass to get a good look at the area before you close in. There are already enemies nearby when you arrive.
How to Protect the Neptuno – All Three Waves
The key rule for this entire escort: sail ahead of the Neptuno, not beside it. Hanging back puts you in a reactive position — enemies are already hitting the Neptuno before you can respond. Getting out front lets you intercept threats before they reach the cargo ship at all. That’s how you keep its health high enough for the bonus.
Wave 1 – Spanish Cutters Near the Neptuno
When you first reach the Neptuno, a pair of Spanish Cutters are already nearby. They’re small and relatively weak. Hit them with Mortar bombs from range before they can close in and start chipping the Neptuno’s health. Cutters go down fast — don’t let them linger.
Wave 2 – Three More Ships Heading South
As you escort the Neptuno south toward the larger landmass ahead, a second wave of three ships appears on the horizon. Sail ahead to meet them before they reach the Neptuno. Alternate between Mortar shots as they approach and broadside cannons as they close in. Pick off the weakest ships first to thin the numbers quickly.
Worth noting: sinking ships this fast raises your Wanted Rank. If it climbs too high, Pirate Hunters can show up and add to the chaos. Keep one eye on that indicator in the corner while you’re managing the escort. Random Naval Convoys can also spawn in the area, so occasionally an extra Frigate or Man o’ War might show up from the open world. Stay alert.
Wave 3 – The Final Ambush
The last wave is the hardest. A Brig, a Schooner, and two Cutters sit stationary in ambush, waiting for the Neptuno to sail into range. They’re already positioned — they won’t come to you. Deal with them this way:
- Open with Mortar fire to soften all four ships before engaging up close
- Take out the two Cutters first — they’re the weakest and the fastest to clear
- Switch to the Schooner, then finish with the Brig
- Keep the Jackdaw moving at all times to avoid catching a full broadside from the Brig
Once all ships in the final wave are sunk, the Neptuno completes its voyage. Private Escort is done. If the Neptuno stayed above 50% health throughout, the full 3,600 Reales lands in your pocket.
Key Characters in Private Escort
- Edward Kenway – The playable protagonist hired to protect the Neptuno’s voyage
- Milo van der Graaff – The eccentric merchant who commissions the contract to keep his cargo ship safe
Tips for Getting the Bonus Reward
Keeping the Neptuno above 50% health is what earns you the extra 1,200 Reales. These habits make it much easier:
- Always sail ahead — intercepting enemies before they reach the Neptuno is the most important thing you can do
- Prioritise Mortar fire on wave arrivals — hitting enemies at range means fewer shots land on the Neptuno
- Don’t ignore Cutters — they’re weak but they attack fast and add up if left alone
- Manage your Wanted Rank — avoid letting it spiral so Pirate Hunters don’t pile in during wave transitions
- Repair before you leave Corozal — arriving at the escort already damaged makes everything harder
Also worth checking: the mortar trick guide for legendary ships — the same technique of leading with mortar salvoes applies perfectly here against clustered enemy fleets. And if you’re thinking about the Jackdaw’s fleet management side of things, the Kenway’s Fleet guide is worth a look too.
Other Naval Contracts and Related Guides
Private Escort is one of 15 naval contracts in AC Black Flag Resynced. Clearing all of them eventually unlocks The Final Contract, which rewards the Black Skull Sails (Legendary) and the Handsome Devils Crew Attire (Rare). Here are other contracts and guides to work through:
- The Realities of War Walkthrough
- Weathering the Storm Walkthrough
- Driftwood Walkthrough
- Silk on the Waves Walkthrough
- The Law of the Ocean Walkthrough
- A Personal Matter Walkthrough
- Contraband Walkthrough
- All Naval Contracts Locations Guide
Pick up the game on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, or PlayStation Store.
FAQs – Private Escort Naval Contract in AC Black Flag Resynced
Where is the Private Escort naval contract in AC Black Flag Resynced?
Private Escort is at Corozal in the Chinchorro region, coordinates 8, 244. It’s a Hard difficulty area. A Spanish Frigate and a Man o’ War guard the island — sink both before you can dock and accept the contract.
What ship do you escort in Private Escort?
The Neptuno, an allied cargo ship marked with a blue shield icon. You find it waiting between two islands southeast of Corozal at roughly coordinates 68, 161.
How much does Private Escort pay in AC Black Flag Resynced?
2,400 Reales as the base reward. If you keep the Neptuno’s health above 50% for the full escort, you earn an extra 1,200 Reales for a total of 3,600 Reales.
How do I keep the Neptuno’s health above 50% for the bonus?
Stay ahead of the Neptuno at all times and intercept enemy waves before they reach it. Open with Mortar fire on each wave as enemies approach, clear the weakest ships first, and don’t let Cutters linger — they’re fast and chip health quickly.
How many waves are there in Private Escort?
Three waves in total. Two Spanish Cutters near the Neptuno at the start, a group of three ships as you head south, and a final ambush of a Brig, a Schooner, and two Cutters positioned and waiting at the end of the route.
Can Pirate Hunters appear during Private Escort?
Yes. Sinking multiple ships fast raises your Wanted Rank, which can pull Pirate Hunters into the fight mid-escort. Keep an eye on the Wanted Rank indicator and deal with any hunters quickly before they start hitting the Neptuno.
Is Private Escort one of the hardest naval contracts?
It’s one of the more demanding ones. The challenge starts before the mission — fighting through a Frigate and a Man o’ War just to reach the contract giver is already a tough fight. The escort itself across three waves in a Hard difficulty zone adds to the pressure, especially if you’re going for the health bonus.
