Dozens of cats in Tacoma, Washington were rescued from a watery fate. Officers from the marine services unit of the Tacoma Police Department discovered more than 30 cats and kittens living in “unsafe conditions” on an abandoned boat off the coast of the city’s Owen Beach, according to an Aug. 8 social media post from the department. No humans were found on board. With some coordination with the area’s animal control in addition to the department’s forensics unit, the felines were successfully saved, the department said. “That mission continued today, and through a tremendous team effort, every cat and kitten is being safely removed from the boat,” the police department said in a Facebook post about the incident. The Tacoma Police Department did not immediately respond to TODAY.com’s request for comment. However the department told local outlet the News Tribune that the situation is currently under investigation. Details surrounding the whereabouts of the boat’s owner remain unclear, the outlet said. In a series of photos shared by the department, the cats, some of them wearing collars, appear crammed in the dusty, abandoned vessel. In another shot, dozens of carriers are being transported to the boat to pick up the little guys. Carriers to hold the dozens of cats that were found on an abandoned boat in Washington. Tacoma Police Department via Facebook The marine services unit initially received reports of the abandoned boat and responded to the calls on Aug. 6, the social media post said. Upon arriving at the vehicle, officers were shocked by the sight, John Correa, a public information officer at the Tacoma Police Department told The News Tribune. “The best way I can describe it is it looked like a Studio Ghibli movie,” Correa recalled to the outlet of the cat-filled craft. “It was their boat, and they were all out and about roaming around on it.” Since the boat was privately owned, the city’s animal control needed to obtain a warrant before the teams could enter the vehicle, according to the outlet. By the next day, teams were able to begin their work. An adorable black-and-white cat, after being rescued from the abandoned boat. Tacoma Police Department via Facebook The cats were in poor condition, the social post said. And rescue efforts continued throughout the day on Aug. 7. “Many of the cats were frightened and malnourished, requiring patience, care, and a tremendous amount of teamwork from our members,” police said in the social media post. The cats were eventually brought to the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society, the News Tribune reported. Here’s to hoping these guys get the wonderful life they deserve — on land!  This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Before Her Death, Sydney Towle Shared the Message She Would Tell People In Her Final Video Perez Hilton’s Family Confirms He ‘Is Able To Communicate’ After Reports He Livestreamed Self-Harm 8-Year-Old Girl Scout With Leukemia Turned a Children’s Hospital Into Her Cookie Booth ...read more read less