Vessel was traveling south of Deer Island and struck a submerged object causing outboard motor to flip up in vessel, break of mounting brackets with propeller striking operator in back.  Passenger called 911 and victim was transported to Ocean Springs Harbor and then to Ocean Springs Hospital where he was pronouced dead.  Officers believe vessel struck dredge pipe.  The seat bracket and lean too seat cushion was damaged.  The outboard motor broke completely off the brackets and was lying in vessel.  

Passenger of vessel stated the operator asked him to be on lookout for red or orange bouys.  He stated he spotted one and they was passing to the left of it when they struck the submerged object.  

Officers stated when they went back to scene, the dredge company was putting addition bouys out marking dredge pipe.  

Officers from Department of Marine Resources and US Coast Guard are doing further investigation of this Incident.

A worker on Barge stated he saw a white vessel speeding towards east tip of Deer Island and all of the sudden hit something causing motor to come up into vessel.  He did not see any distress signals and then saw another vessel come up and remove all parties and drive off.

Dredge is owned by The Bean Companies.

Biloxi                        