AN American holidaymaker has vanished into the sea after reportedly falling overboard on a boat trip in the Bahamas.
Authorities reported the woman missing after she was swept away by strong currents during a sunset journey with her husband.
The American couple had boarded the eight-foot hard-bottom dinghy at 7.30pm on Saturday to embark on the estimated 2.5-mile trip between Hope Town and Elbow Cay, according to local police.
A spokesperson from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said the woman had tumbled from the vessel with the boat’s keys, causing the engine to turn off.
In the chaos that ensued, the unidentified woman was swept out to sea in strong currents, the police said.
Her husband told cops he had lost sight of her in the rough surf, so had paddled the small boat back to the shore.
He arrived at the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard at 4am on Sunday morning – a marathon nine hours later.
When he arrived, he recounted the harrowing incident to an individual who then alerted the cops, according to authorities.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force released a statement on the investigation on Monday.
“U.S. counterparts, volunteers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are assisting with this,” it read.
The U.S. Coast Guard Miami Sector have also provided air support to Bahamian authorities in their search.
A full-scale joint rescue operation has been launched between the police on the island of Abaco, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Hope Town Fire and Rescue.
The Bahamas falls under a US State Department Level 2 travel advisory.
The advisory has urged Americans to exercise “increased caution” while travelling in the area over concerns for crime, boating, beach safety and weapons.
“Boating is not well-regulated,” one alert warned.
“Injuries and deaths have occurred.”
The advisory also warned that watercraft, like jet skis, may come from unlicensed operators who “sometimes ignore weather forecasts.”
It encouraged travelers to “always follow local weather and marine alerts.”
The investigation into her disappearance remains ongoing.
Cops have urged anyone with information regarding the ordeal to contact authorities.
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in the Bahamas, with only traffic accidents causing more, according to swim education organisation Swim Tayka.
