Michigan Woman Missing After Boat Fall in Bahamas

A 55-year-old American woman from Michigan vanished in the waters off the Bahamas after falling overboard from a small dinghy during an evening boat trip with her husband, authorities reported.

Lynette Hooker was traveling with her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, on an 8-foot vessel from Hope Town to Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Hooker fell into the water while holding the boat's ignition key, which caused the engine to shut off. Strong ocean currents quickly swept her away, and her husband lost sight of her in the darkness. It remains unclear whether she was wearing a life jacket at the time.

Left stranded, Brian Hooker paddled the disabled dinghy toward shore, reaching the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 5. He alerted someone at the marina, who then notified police, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. The effort involves the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and Hope Town Fire Rescue personnel combing the surrounding waters and coastline.

The Hookers, known online as "The Sailing Hookers," were avid adventurers who documented their sailing journeys on platforms...