Dark and Stormy

Sometimes the story takes an unexpected turn.  Of course, when you make plans for a trip like this you work through a lot of details: places you want to visit; things you want to do; people you want to see.  We knew there would be surprises.   Weather conditions we could not anticipate; keeping supplied with fresh food; mechanical issues with the boat; navigation issues, etc.   You just have to do your best to work through.  But on this leg of the journey we have encountered something totally unexpected. 

On Easter evening, while we were still at the Hope Town Marina, an unfortunate incident was unfolding at the other end of the island.  A husband and wife left the Abaco Inn after dinner and climbed aboard their dinghy, heading back to their boat anchored offshore.  The woman fell overboard in the dark.   Her husband tried to rescue her but the engine would not start.  The current swept her away and he was forced to paddle ashore, not reaching land until 4 am the next morning when he notified the authorities.   Despite a search conducted by the Police, Hope Town Fire & Rescue, and assisted by the US Coast Guard, she has not been found.  

A terrible accident?  Something worse?   The husband reported that when she fell overboard she had the ignition key with her, leaving him unable to start the engine and forcing him to paddle to shore.   However, the wife's daughter raised some questions, informing the police that there was history of arguments and threats between the two.   Four days later the Bahamian police did place him under arrest, but have provided no further details.    

Of course social media has been filled with reports and comments, honestly adding very little that is meaningful.   It has hit the international news.  We can speculate all we want but who knows what really happened or what the outcome will be.  It was a dark and stormy night.  It does not seem that there were any witnesses.  A life has been lost.   A family torn apart.