RedactedNarrative: V1 was east bound in the bay.  V1 made an unintentional hard turn to the starboard, both operator and occupant were ejected.  V1 continued to make circles.  Immediately after being ejected, while both were still in the water, the occupant spoke with Operator who had an open injury to his back and was unable to swim.   
  
  Occupant was unable to assist operator back to shore.  V1 continued to do circles and was eventually stopped by Sea Tow.  Occupant was recovered by Okaloosa County Sheriff Office Marine unit and transported to Ft Walton Beach Medical by EMS.  Deceased operator was located 3 days later, on the beach behind the Aegean Condominium gulf side of Destin.
  
  Based on evidence and information gathered to date, operator purchased the vessel on 03/27/2019.  The motor on the vessel was blown.  Operator purchased a replacement motor off Craigslist. Occupant and operator worked on getting the vessel seaworthy.
  
  Operator hung the motor while occupant worked on structural issues.   On April 14, 2019, the subjects took the vessel for a test run.  They launched at Joes Bayou and ran to the Marler bridge without incident.
  
   On the way back, the motor was not sufficiently fastened to the steering mechanism. With the forces put on the vessel by change of seas and direction of travel, the steering connection separated. 
  The above finding of the investigation is based on the fact that three bolts consistent with mounting the steering were located in a cup holder on the console.  This caused the eventual steering failure that resulted in this accident. 
  
  Operator suffered numerous prop strike lacerations up the back from the right hip to right shoulder ranging 11/2" to 4" and 1 3/4" to 3" apart. Rib 7 through 10 rib on right side are broken. Lacerations to Right Lung and Liver. Abrasion on left ankle.; Occupant suffered internal injuries from impact with hand rail.
  