Authorities within the Bahamas have moved to a restoration operation of their search for an American lady who reportedly fell overboard throughout a ship journey along with her husband Saturday evening, native police stated.
Lynette Hooker, 55, and her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, each US nationals from Michigan, have been on a small dinghy when Lynette fell off the boat throughout turbulent climate, in keeping with Brian’s account shared by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Local authorities and the US Coast Guard scoured the bay close to the incident searching for Lynette, however have now moved to a restoration operation, in keeping with Richard Cook, hearth staff lead with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
As authorities proceed their search, Lynette’s household have referred to as for an investigation into her disappearance as they work to get extra data from native authorities.
As the search for Lynette enters its fourth day, here’s what we all know.
Lynette fell off the dinghy throughout robust currents, husband says
On Saturday evening, the couple left Hope Town and have been headed to Elbow Cay in a small, 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy, Brian advised the Royal Bahamas Police Force, in keeping with a information launch from the company. They have been making their method again to their yacht, “Soulmate,” Cook stated.
Lynette fell out of the boat whereas they have been on the dinghy, Brian advised police. Cook added Brian stated she “bounced” out of the boat throughout robust currents and was not sporting a private flotation machine.
“Strong currents subsequently carried her away,” and “he lost sight of her,” Brian advised police. Lynette was sporting the keys, also called an engine security lanyard, when she fell off the dinghy, which made the boat lose energy, so he tried to paddle to shore, in keeping with his account shared by police.
The final time Brian stated he noticed Lynette, she was swimming towards the shore, Cook stated.
Brain stated he tried to row to shore, however the winds made it troublesome, he added.
The dinghy drifted towards Marsh Harbour, the place it finally 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 stated.
Brian arrived within the boat yard round 4 a.m. Sunday, the place he notified somebody about his missing spouse, who was in a position to attain police, police stated.
Once police have been notified about Lynette’s disappearance, their company, together with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, began looking out the world.
The Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue was notified at 5:12 a.m. and “searched extensively for 6 hours” however wasn’t capable of finding her, Cook stated. The US Coast Guard additionally carried out a search by air, a spokesperson advised NCS.
Royal Bahamas Police Force said Tuesday that authorities are persevering with the search, which has “spanned marine, land, and aerial areas, with additional support from drone technology and professional divers.”
The US State Department advised NCS it’s “aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay” and is “working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance,” an company spokesperson stated.
The State Department advises vacationers to train elevated warning within the Bahamas, which is listed beneath a level 2 travel advisory. “Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred,” it stated in a March 2025 advisory.
As authorities proceed looking out for Lynette, her daughter and mom advised NCS they’ve a number of questions on what occurred, and each have been attempting to succeed in Bahamian authorities for data.
After struggling to succeed in investigators, Darlene Hamlett, Lynette’s mom, is racing to get an emergency passport to fly to the Bahamas, and Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has employed an legal professional.
“We have many unanswered questions,” stated Hamlett. “Our family is still in shock. We are still holding on for a positive outcome to this tragedy.”
Both girls stated they need an intensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lynette’s disappearance.
Aylesworth stated in a press release, “I have been privy to very little information. My sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance.”
The final time she spoke along with her mom was on Friday, she advised NCS Tuesday. She discovered about her mom’s disappearance from her step-father, Brian, who left her a voicemail, she stated. While she didn’t share many particulars of what he stated within the voicemail, Aylesworth stated he advised her they discovered a flotation machine that was thrown to her mom.
The longer Lynette is missing, the much less optimistic she is that her mom will likely be discovered, Aylesworth stated.
“The more time that goes on, the more I disbelieve that she will come back alive. I don’t think that you can tread water for that long,” she stated. “But I hope maybe she’s on a little island somewhere.”
Lynette and Brian have been married for about 25 years and have been crusing for over a decade, Aylesworth advised NCS.
They went from a small sailboat that would solely match two individuals to a greater than 50-foot sailboat, which they used to sail round Lake Michigan, she stated. Her mom and stepdad have been within the Bahamas for a couple of month, Aylesworth added.
The couple has documented their travels on Instagram and YouTube over time, most lately showcasing their adventures within the Bahamas.
Lynette loves exploring and works out quite a bit, her daughter stated. She can be artful and enjoys documenting their adventures by way of video, particularly along with her 360 digicam, Aylesworth stated.