The Harris County Marine Unit aided a fellow veteran living on a stranded boat in Clear Lake.
KEMAH, Texas — What started as a stranded boat call turned into a big surprise for the Harris County Marine Unit.
It wasn’t the boat that surprised them, but rather what they found on board.
Out in Kemah, you’ll find Clear Lake. Boats from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are docked nearby.
“[It gives] immediate access for any vessels in distress,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Eric Basse said.
A vessel in distress is a routine call for the Air Force veteran and HCSO deputy with the Marine Unit.
“How many abandoned boats do you guys typically find in Harris County in a year?” reporter Amanda Henderson asked.
“We have come upon four or five this year alone,” Basse said.
On Tuesday morning, the ship they got a call for wasn’t abandoned.
“This was the first time for myself and my teammates,” Basse said.
Basse said a fellow Air Force veteran was aboard and drifting close to a spillway.
“The boat has no operating motors, no electricity. He was basically homeless living in a boat,” Basse said.
Basse and his fellow Marine Unit team members reached out to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s Homeless Outreach Team when they found out he was living in this state.
“They’re not going to give up on him to try and get him the care he might need,” Basse said.
This includes potential doctor’s appointments at the VA or access to a shelter.