In Civilization 5, healing ships works differently compared to land units. Unlike land units, naval vessels cannot heal unless they are in friendly territory. However, there are two exceptions to this rule:
The Supply Promotion
The Supply promotion, which is obtained through the Optics technology, allows ships to heal anywhere, regardless of whether they are in friendly territory or not. This promotion is particularly useful for keeping your naval forces at full strength during long campaigns or when operating in enemy-controlled waters.
Great Admiral Ability
When a Great Admiral uses its special ability, it can instantly heal any ships in its tile. This can be a powerful tool for quickly restoring the health of your naval units, especially after a battle or when preparing for an important engagement.
To maximize the effectiveness of ship healing in Civ 5, consider the following strategies:
Obtain the Supply promotion as soon as possible to give your ships the ability to heal anywhere
Position Great Admirals near your naval forces to take advantage of their healing ability
Ensure that your ships have access to friendly territory or cities where they can heal at a faster rate
Prioritize healing for ships that have taken significant damage or are critical to your naval strategy