RedactedNarrative: On February 17, 2022, Vessel 1(V-1), a 24 foot center console with three occupants on board, was traveling north to south from north spoil island to the sound spoil island in Tampa Bay, when V-1 struck an underwater dredge pipe.  The accident resulted in no injuries and damage to the vessel's motor.
  
  -He was traveling in V-1 in Tampa Bay with two other occupants on board.  
  -He was traveling from north to south from the north spoil island to the south spoil island when he struck an underwater pipe near the NE side of the south spoil island.
  -He noticed what appeared to be a bunch of red buoys and then a space and then some other red buoys.  He traveled in that space between the buoys at approximately 20 mph when he struck the underwater cable.
  -There were no buoys where he struck the cable.
  -While on scene after the accident he observed another vessel strike the underwater cable in the same area.
  
  
  I left residence and traveled to Inter Bay Moorings,  a marine on the Alafia River, next to the US 41 Bridge in Gibsonton.  I located the company involved with the underwater pipe, Gator Dredging, and its project manager.  Project Manager stated:
  
  -They are in the process of a dredging operation in the area of the south spoil island in Tampa Bay.
  -The underwater pipe that was struck was a pipe they were positioning from the NE corner of the south spoil island that traveled NE to the channel at the mouth of the Alafia River.
  -That underwater pipe was not being used to currently dredge, so no day shapes were required, and they are only required to put up buoys.  There were two colored buoys on scene, orange and white.
  -They were doing a federal project and they put out the required notice to mariners.
  -There were no other requirements they had to do since the line was being position and not a current dredge line.  If the underground pipe was actively part of a dredge operation then day shapes would be required.
  -He expected more vessels to strike the pipe in the future.
  
  I completed by interview and left Inter Bay Moorings.
  
  On Feb 18, 2022, I, traveled by patrol vessel to the area where the accident occurred at the NE corner of the south spoil island.  I observed the area where V-1 struck the underground cable and I saw multiple buoys that were both orange and white traveling in a direction NE towards the channel at the mouth of the Alafia River.  There appeared to be a 100 yard space between the two of the buoys, which is likely the area were V-1 struck the underground cable.  The cable appeared to be connected by commercial ships on both sides.  
  
  I located the published notice to mariners for the area (see attached).  Gator Dredging did publish the area that is currently under the dredge project.  That area is the same where V-1 struck the underground pipe.  
  
  I contacted United States Coast Guard(USCG) Sector St. Petersburg, and requested their input on the requirements for Gator Dredging.  Chief Investigator stated that since Gator Dredging had issued a notice to mariners, then they should be acting accordingly.
  
  I concluded my investigation and based on all the available evidence, I determined that no criminal or civil citations should be issued.
  