Saints Row: The Third The Ho Boat Mission Guide

To complete The Ho Boat in Saints Row: The Third, stock up on rifle and explosive ammunition, meet Pierce at the Steelport docks, and clear the Morningstar cargo freighter deck by deck. Stand to the side when opening marked shipping containers to survive close-quarters ambushes, then use heavy weapons to eliminate attacking gunboats and helicopters during the extraction phase.

Recommended Loadout and Pier Infiltration

Visit a Friendly Fire store before meeting Pierce. The mission requires mid-range fighting across open decks, point-blank reactions inside containers, and long-range anti-vehicle defense on open water.

Assault Rifle (such as the K-8 Krukov): Essential for mid-range firefights across the docks and the ship's cargo aisles.
Explosive Weapon (RPG-7 launcher or Annihilator): Required to destroy patrol boats and attack helicopters quickly.
Sniper Rifle: Serves as a backup option to neutralize boat pilots from long distances if explosive rounds run out.

Meet Pierce at the marked waterfront docks in Steelport. Eliminate the Morningstar guards stationed behind crates along the shoreline before boarding your boat. Clear the perimeter completely so stray gunfire does not damage your watercraft before you reach the freighter.

Clearing the Morningstar Freighter

After docking at the cargo ship, secure the boarding ramp immediately. Morningstar syndicate members occupy positions across the central deck, catwalks, and crane machinery. Move along the outer edges of the freighter rather than running down the center aisle, using shipping containers as solid cover.

Enemy Threat	Primary Position	Recommended Tactic	Priority Level
Catwalk Snipers	Cranes and high container stacks	Rifle headshots from cover	High
Deck Patrols	Main cargo lanes	Controlled rifle bursts	Medium
Shotgun Rushers	Container doorways	Hip-fire or quick melee takedowns	Critical
Patrol Gunboats	Surrounding waters	Direct RPG-7 or heavy explosive hits	High

If enemies throw grenades from the upper gantries, retreat around container corners instead of dodging forward into open sightlines. Once the elevated shooters fall, begin searching the cargo holds.

Searching Shipping Containers Safely

The primary objective requires opening marked shipping containers across the deck to locate captive women. Several containers trigger sudden ambushes by Morningstar operatives.

Approach the latch from the side: Never stand directly in front of container doors. Hostile operatives inside wield shotguns and submachine guns, dealing heavy damage the instant the doors open.
Pre-aim and backpedal: As the doors open, back up while firing automatic weapons at torso level to catch emerging enemies.
Avoid thrown explosives: Do not throw grenades into containers before verifying what is inside, as collateral damage can fail the objective once friendly captives are found.
Trigger the cutscene: Opening the correct container plays an in-engine cutscene that transitions the mission into the defense phase.

Repelling Gunboats and Air Support

After finding the captives, Morningstar reinforcements assault the ship from the surrounding water and air. Climb onto an elevated container stack to maintain clear sightlines around the bay.

Patrol Gunboats: Fire explosive rounds directly into the hull or at the stern gunner. If using standard rifles, shoot through the windshield to kill the driver, disabling the boat's approach.
Attack Helicopters: Switch immediately to the RPG-7 or Annihilator when choppers appear over the ship masts. Lead the target slightly along its flight path. If relying on small arms, focus fire on the cockpit or tail rotor to bring the aircraft down before it bombards the rescue team.

Extraction and Mission Rewards

Board the escape boat with Pierce and the rescued crew once the initial assault waves clear. During the return trip through Steelport's waterways, Morningstar patrol craft pursue your vessel.

Lean out and shoot the engines or drivers of pursuing craft, reloading between river turns to keep your weapon ready. Docking at the marked friendly pier successfully concludes the mission. Completion awards cash, a Saint Respect boost, and reduces Morningstar control in the local district while unlocking follow-up story missions with Pierce.