RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 (TX 8067 KE) was being operated on Calcasieu Ship Channel.  V1 is described as a 23' fiberglass bay boat, powered by a 250 horsepower motor (remote steering).  There were two (2) people onboard V1.  Vessel 2 was described as a Mike Hooks dredging vessel.  V2 was stationary, conducting dredging operations.  
  
       V1 was heading down stream (south).   V1 made a hard starboard turn then collided into  V2's dredging equipment. V1 struck a pontoon tank located under the dredge pipe.  The turn to starboard and the collision ejected Operator1 and V1 occupant over the port side of V1.  Operator1 was later discovered deceased by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.  V1 occupant returned to V1 shortly after the incident occurred.  V1 occupant sustained lacerations near his right ear and nose.  V1 occupant sustained a fractured nose, swollen eye, and soreness on the right side of his body, hip area and chest area.  V1 occupant was transported to Cal-Cam hospital, where he was later released.  United States Coast Guard determined that Mike Hooks were in compliance with the required lighting on the dredge pipe.  It was discovered through the investigation that Operator1 and V1 occupant were looking at text messages on Operator1's phone, just before the incident occurred.  The contributing factors of the incident is alcohol/drug use, operator inattention, and no proper look out.  The type of incident is collision with fixed object.  Operator1 was discovered without a PFD on.  It is unclear if V1 occupant had a life jacket on at the time of the incident.  V1 had adequate PFD's on board.   V1 occupant was observed on Mike Hook's camera walking on the dredge pipe with the PFD on.    No chargers filed.
  