Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Puzzle 013: Sinking Ship

Original diagram for Puzzle 013: Sinking Ship

Fifteen people, a five-seat raft and 20 minutes before the ship sinks: how many reach the island?

Chapter
Chapter 2
Location
Manor Border
Picarats
30 picarats
Type
Write Answer
Region
Same in all versions
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
Hint 1

Start with the clock. How many complete round trips fit into 20 minutes, and where is the raft when time is nearly up?

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Hint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 2

After two round trips 18 minutes have gone by and the raft is back at the ship — with time for one last one-way run.

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Hint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 3

Who brings the raft back after each trip? That person can't stay on the island.

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Answer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Answer

The answer is 13 people.

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Solution, FAQ and sources

Solution

1. A round trip takes 9 minutes, so two round trips finish at the 18-minute mark, with the raft back at the ship. There's still time to load it once more and leave before minute 20, so the raft makes **three** departures in all. 2. On the first two trips, someone has to row the raft back to the ship. Each of those trips drops off only 4 people; the rower returns. 3. On the third trip nobody needs to come back, so all 5 on board — the rower plus 4 more — land.

Saved: 4 + 4 + 5 = **13**. The other 2 are still on the ship when it goes down.

About this puzzle

Fifteen people are stuck on a ship that will sink in exactly 20 minutes. The only way off is a raft that holds five people, and the sea is full of sharks, so nobody can swim. One round trip from the ship to an island and back takes the raft nine minutes. How many people reach the island alive?

Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.

Similar puzzles: Puzzle 011: Arc and Line, Puzzle 016: Triangles and Ink, Puzzle 008: Farm Work, Puzzle 009: One Poor Pooch

All Professor Layton and the Curious Village puzzles

FAQ

What is the answer to Puzzle 013, Sinking Ship, in Professor Layton and the Curious Village?

The answer is 13 people.

Where do you find Puzzle 013 in Curious Village?

Puzzle 013 appears in Chapter 2, in the Manor Border area.

How many picarats is Curious Village Puzzle 013 worth?

30 picarats.

Sources

Facts checked on November 14, 2026

Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.