The Merryweather Heist

Key takeaways

Prepare before the opening marker and treat each objective update as a checkpoint.

• Primary goal The protagonists steal a Merryweather device by freighter or offshore approach, only to surrender the unusable target.
• Protect mission-critical assets Avoid unnecessary vehicle damage, friendly fire, or abandoning a required target outside the objective radius.
• Use protagonist abilities Use Franklin for precision driving, Michael for controlled gunfights, and Trevor for high-damage combat whenever the mission makes them available.
• Do not rush the final marker Clear pursuit conditions and keep required characters or vehicles together before entering extraction.

Overview

The protagonists steal a Merryweather device by freighter or offshore approach, only to surrender the unusable target.

The protagonists steal a Merryweather device by freighter or offshore approach, only to surrender the unusable target.

This Story Mode mission advances the protagonists’ connected storyline. Some neighboring missions can become available simultaneously, so the exact play order may vary.

The walkthrough below separates travel, setup, combat, pursuit, and extraction checkpoints so a failed section can be diagnosed without repeating the same mistake.

Characters in this mission

• Michael De Santa
• Franklin Clinton
• Trevor Philips
• Floyd Hebert

Where this sits

Requirements and recommended loadout

Enter with mission-appropriate ammunition, armor, and a vehicle that can survive the opening travel phase.

• RequiredComplete the preceding story unlocks
• RecommendedFull body armor and stocked ammunitionParticularly valuable for missions marked moderate or hard.
• RecommendedAccurate mid-range weaponA rifle or stable automatic weapon handles most outdoor gunfights.
• OptionalClose-range backupUseful inside buildings, alleys, and vehicles.
• RecommendedSave the relevant protagonist abilityUse it for the most difficult chase, driving, or combat checkpoint.

Objectives

1. Assemble at the selected approach’s starting point
2. Use Franklin’s overwatch or Trevor’s submersible to reach the target zone
3. Clear Merryweather guards without losing the mission equipment
4. Plant charges or use the Cargobob to expose the device
5. Recover the device with the submersible
6. Protect the extraction from boats and helicopters
7. Deliver the device to the rendezvous
8. Complete the confrontation that forces the crew to return it

Detailed walkthrough

1. 01

   Assemble at the selected approach’s starting point

   Assemble at the selected approach’s starting point

   Assemble at the selected approach’s starting point. Review the consequences before confirming: approach and crew choices can change preparation missions, difficulty, casualties, and payout. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

   TipBefore triggering the opening marker, restock armor and ammunition if the mission is expected to involve combat.

   Checkpoint
2. 02

   Use Franklin’s overwatch or Trevor’s submersible to reach the target zone

   Use Franklin’s overwatch or Trevor’s submersible to reach the target zone

   Use Franklin’s overwatch or Trevor’s submersible to reach the target zone. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

   Checkpoint
3. 03

   Clear Merryweather guards without losing the mission equipment

   Clear Merryweather guards without losing the mission equipment

   Clear Merryweather guards without losing the mission equipment. Move from cover to cover, remove exposed or elevated shooters first, and do not advance until the current flank is secure. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

4. 04

   Plant charges or use the Cargobob to expose the device

   Plant charges or use the Cargobob to expose the device

   Plant charges or use the Cargobob to expose the device. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

   Checkpoint
5. 05

   Recover the device with the submersible

   Recover the device with the submersible

   Recover the device with the submersible. Approach from the safest side, clear immediate threats, and wait for the possession or collection confirmation before moving to extraction. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

6. 06

   Protect the extraction from boats and helicopters

   Protect the extraction from boats and helicopters

   Protect the extraction from boats and helicopters. Make small control inputs, maintain safe altitude, and line up the next checkpoint early instead of correcting sharply at the last moment. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

   Checkpoint
7. 07

   Deliver the device to the rendezvous

   Deliver the device to the rendezvous

   Deliver the device to the rendezvous. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.

8. 08

   Complete the confrontation that forces the crew to return it

   Complete the confrontation that forces the crew to return it

   Complete the confrontation that forces the crew to return it. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Remain in the final marker until the mission-complete transition begins.

   Checkpoint

Difficult sections and useful strategies

Completion checklist

• Assemble at the selected approach’s starting pointCheckpoint 1
• Use Franklin’s overwatch or Trevor’s submersible to reach the target zoneCheckpoint 2
• Clear Merryweather guards without losing the mission equipmentCheckpoint 3
• Plant charges or use the Cargobob to expose the deviceCheckpoint 4
• Recover the device with the submersibleCheckpoint 5
• Protect the extraction from boats and helicoptersCheckpoint 6
• Deliver the device to the rendezvousCheckpoint 7
• Complete the confrontation that forces the crew to return itFinal completion condition

Failure conditions and checkpoints

• A required protagonist, ally, or protected target dies.Restart from the most recent mission checkpoint.
• A mission-critical vehicle is destroyed, abandoned, or leaves the playable route.Use the restart option rather than continuing in an unmarked replacement.
• The target escapes or a timed objective expires.Prioritize route discipline and the primary objective over optional combat.
• The player is wasted or all shared team lives are exhausted.Story Mode reloads the latest checkpoint.

Rewards and aftermath

• Mission completion and progression
  Unlocks the next related story activity, contact, property, or preparation where applicable.

Sources and verification

• GTA Base — GTA V missions list and walkthrough index — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA Base
• GTA V Wiki — Story Missions — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA V Wiki
• Codex model knowledge — detailed step expansion pending editorial gameplay review — Internal editorial