Help! Flywheel/Starter problem - 2005 225HO

Any body out there ever seen this? Dropped by boat in today for the first time this year. It's had a history of not starting well after a few months of limited or no use. I turned the key off and on probably 20-25 times and finally got it to start to fire. It fired once or twice and shut off. The next time I hit the key, it sounded like something flew off inside the cowling. Now when I hit the key, there's just a buzzing sound that comes from the starter, but it won't attempt to start or turn the flywheel.

I'm not a mechanic, but I'm thinking it has to be a starter or flywheel issue. This is a brand new starter that was taken from a new motor back in October 2010. Confused....anybody have thoughts?

My guess would be the starter bendix has come apart.

If it's not the bendix, then possibly the reduction gears broke or stripped.

Thanks to you both - the gears came apart. You were right!