An American woman is missing after she reportedly fell overboard and was swept away by strong currents during a boat trip with her husband in the Bahamas, according to authorities.
The couple, both US nationals, embarked on a roughly 2.5-mile trip from Hope Town to Elbow Cay in an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
During the journey, the man’s wife reportedly tumbled overboard with the boat’s keys — causing the vessel’s engine to shut off, police said.
Strong currents subsequently swept the unidentified woman out to sea, cops added.
The husband said he lost sight of his wife during the rough surf and paddled the small boat back to shore, eventually arriving at Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 4 a.m. on Sunday — where he informed an individual of the harrowing ordeal.
That person then told police about the incident, authorities said.
Police on the island of Abaco, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and Hope Town Fire and Rescue have since launched an all-out search to find the missing American woman.
The Bahamas is currently under a US State Department Level 2 travel advisory, with officials urging Americans to exercise “increased caution” while traveling in the area over concerns about crime, boating, beach safety, and weapons.
“Boating is not well-regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred,” one alert warned.
An investigation into the woman’s disappearance is ongoing. Police have urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact authorities with relevant details.
