By Taylor Romine, Chris Boyette, Martin Goillandeau, CNN
(CNN) — Authorities in the Bahamas have moved to a recovery operation in their search for an American woman who reportedly fell overboard during a boat trip with her husband Saturday night, local police said.
Lynette Hooker, 55, and her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, both US nationals from Michigan, were on a small dinghy when Lynette fell off the boat during turbulent weather, according to Brian’s account shared by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Local authorities and the US Coast Guard scoured the bay near the incident in search of Lynette, but have now moved to a recovery operation, according to Richard Cook, fire team lead with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
As authorities continue their search, Lynette’s family have called for an investigation into her disappearance as they work to get more information from local authorities.
As the search for Lynette enters its fourth day, here is what we know.
Lynette fell off the dinghy during strong currents, husband says
On Saturday night, the couple left Hope Town and were headed to Elbow Cay in a small, 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy, Brian told the Royal Bahamas Police Force, according to a news release from the agency. They were making their way back to their yacht, “Soulmate,” Cook said.
Lynette fell out of the boat while they were on the dinghy, Brian told police. Cook added Brian said she “bounced” out of the boat during strong currents and was not wearing a personal flotation device.
“Strong currents subsequently carried her away,” and “he lost sight of her,” Brian told police. Lynette was wearing the keys, also known as an engine safety lanyard, when she fell off the dinghy, which made the boat lose power, so he tried to paddle to shore, according to his account shared by police.
The last time Brian said he saw Lynette, she was swimming toward the shore, Cook said.
Brain said he tried to row to shore, but the winds made it difficult, he added.
The dinghy drifted toward Marsh Harbour, where it ultimately was beached, and Brian “traversed through the bush till he made it to Marsh Harbour Boat yards where he made contact with the local Police,” Cook said.
Brian arrived in the boat yard around 4 a.m. Sunday, where he notified someone about his missing wife, who was able to reach police, police said.
Multiple agencies search for Lynette Hooker
Once police were notified about Lynette’s disappearance, their agency, along with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, started searching the area.
The Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue was notified at 5:12 a.m. and “searched extensively for 6 hours” but wasn’t able to find her, Cook said. The US Coast Guard also conducted a search by air, a spokesperson told CNN.
Royal Bahamas Police Force said Tuesday that authorities are continuing the search, which has “spanned marine, land, and aerial areas, with additional support from drone technology and professional divers.”
The US State Department told CNN it is “aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay” and is “working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance,” an agency spokesperson said.
The State Department advises travelers to exercise increased caution in the Bahamas, which is listed under a level 2 travel advisory. “Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred,” it said in a March 2025 advisory.
Family calls for an investigation into mother’s disappearance
As authorities continue searching for Lynette, he