Body of missing boater found in Houston Ship Channel Monday

Shawn Scarbrough (KPRC 2)

HOUSTON – The body of a boater missing since Saturday was recovered in Houston Ship Channel late Monday morning, according to friends and officials.

Officials said Shawn Scarbrough’s body was found near marker 69 Monday. The 12-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps went missing Saturday after he was thrown from an 18-foot boat without a life jacket about five miles east of Kemah Saturday evening.

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It was reported to officials that the vessel operator’s seat broke, causing him to sharply turn the wheel. Three others on board were not ejected and are uninjured, officials said.

Multiple agencies were involved in the search for Scarbrough including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Kemah Fire Department, Seabrook Police Department and the Chamber’s County Sheriff’s Office.

During the three-day search, the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies combed about 267 square miles of water, officials wrote in a press release Monday afternoon.

"Our sincere condolences to the family and friends who are dealing with this heartbreaking loss,” said Capt. Jason Smith, Sector Houston-Galveston commanding officer of USCG. “I would like to thank the multiple federal, state, and local agency partners for their diligent response and search efforts.”