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Update, 6:30 p.m.: The boat was anchored, Correa told The News Tribune.
Other details, such as how the boat arrived in the area, the type of boat and the owner’s whereabouts, remain unclear as TPD investigates the incident.
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Original story: Upon searching a deserted boat in Commencement Bay, the Tacoma Police Department found an atypical crew – over 30 cats, but no sign of a human owner.
TPD’s Marine Service Unit was notified of an abandoned boat floating near Owen Beach Thursday morning, Public Information Officer John Correa told The News Tribune.
“The best way I can describe it is it looked like a Studio Ghibli movie,” Correa said. “It was their boat, and they were all out and about roaming around on it.”
Since it was still under ownership, the city of Tacoma’s Animal Control division applied for a search warrant to go into the boat and recover all the cats. It was granted, and Friday morning officers, along with the Marine Service Unit, boarded the boat to rescue the crew of kitties and bring them to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society.
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The Marine Service Unit was able to locate the owner’s information but could not reach him.
No arrests have been made yet since the primary goal right now is to rescue the cats, Correa said. An investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published August 7, 2026 at 12:12 PM with the headline “A ghost ship with a crew of cats? Empty boat near Tacoma beach full of mews.”
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