Police in the Bahamas are searching for an American woman who disappeared after reportedly falling overboard from a small boat while vacationing with her husband.
Her husband told authorities that she went missing on Saturday at about 19:30 local time (00:30 BST) after falling out of an 8ft (2.4m) hard-bottom dinghy and being swept out to sea by strong currents.
The woman's husband mentioned that they left Hope Town for Elbow Cay on the Bahamian island of Abaco when she fell overboard, taking the boat's keys with her.
In a statement on social media, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said it is investigating and multiple agencies are searching for the woman.
She apparently bounced out of the boat, said Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief Troy Pritchard in an interview, emphasizing the urgency of the search.
The husband, who is also a U.S. national, paddled the vessel to shore and reached the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard at about 04:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Sunday.
He informed someone at the boat yard about his wife's disappearance, leading to a notification to the authorities.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has stated that U.S. counterparts, volunteers, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are assisting in the search.
The missing woman has been identified as Lynette Hooker from Michigan, according to CBS News.
A travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department in March 2025 noted concerns regarding boating safety in the Bahamas, citing the lack of regulation and the potential for serious incidents.
