Help in the Hurricane Harvey aftermath recovery mission is coming from the industry and consumer sides of the powerboating world, as both Mercury Marine, the Fond du Lac, Wisc., marine engine and accessories giant, and the organizers of the Louisiana-based Tickfaw 200 Poker Run, one the most popular events of its kind, are pitching in. 

Mercury Marine has donated outboard engines, boats and life jackets to the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.

This week, Mercury Marine sent 30 of its 6-hp outboard engine and 10 inflatable boats to the Hurricane Harvey command center in Texas. In addition, the company donated a 40-hp outboard engine to Boots on the Ground, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering veterans and qualified civilians to provide in-field emergency and primary medical care.

In response to a shortage of life jackets, Mercury Marine-owned Land ‘N’ Sea has rushed 100 life jackets to Houston from its Shreveport, La., warehouse.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “There is a need for boats and engines in the recovery efforts and we will do whatever we can to help with those relief efforts.”

On consumer/event organizer side of the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort, Tickfaw 200 organizer Casey Harrison reported today that three Hummer vehicles, six boats and a five-ton “military high-water vehicle”—all purchased through event proceeds and donated to the Livingston Parish (La.) Sheriff’s Department—have been sent to Port Arthur, Texas.

“They left last night after we were 100-percent sure that we were clear locally with the high river levels we have here,” said Harrison. “The same officers who work water patrol for poker run also are going to help.”