Drowning victim at Broadwater Marina is identified

A 79-year-old Florida man has been identified as the victim who drowned in the Broadwater Marina on Monday evening.

Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said John Chock had been on the Coast and living on his sailboat at the marina.

He had been taken to the hospital earlier in the day for dehydration and heat exhaustion but had been released.

Switzer said Chock had been taken off his boat by firefighters, so the kayak he used to get back and forth to shore was still tied up.

When he returned to the marina, he tried to swim out to his boat and drowned.

Switzer said next of kin has not been found. Anyone with information about his family is asked to call the Coroner’s Office at 228-865-4290.