Bahamas Police Seek Missing US Woman After Reported Fall from Boat

Authorities in the Bahamas are actively searching for an American woman who went missing after falling from a small boat during a trip with her husband. The incident occurred on Saturday near Hope Town, a coastal village on the island of Abaco, when the woman was swept out to sea by powerful currents.

Husband’s Account of the Incident

The woman’s husband, also a US national, recounted the event to local officials. He stated they departed Hope Town for Elbow Cay in the late afternoon, and shortly after, his wife fell overboard from an 8ft (2.4m) hard-bottom dinghy. He managed to retrieve the boat’s keys and returned to shore, reaching the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 04:00 local time (09:00 BST) the following day.

“She apparently bounced out of the boat,” Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief Troy Pritchard explained to CBS News. “Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her.”

Search Efforts and Agencies Involved

The Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed it is investigating the disappearance and coordinating with various agencies to locate the woman. In a statement shared via social media, they noted that “U.S. counterparts, volunteers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are assisting with this.”

Travel Advisory Highlighted Risks

The US State Department issued a March 2025 travel advisory, cautioning about boating hazards in the Bahamas. The alert highlighted that “boating is not well regulated” on the islands, leading to “injuries and deaths have occurred.” Local officials identified the missing woman as Lynette Hooker from Michigan.