Missing Acklins man’s boat found, no body recovered yet

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Derek Collie's destroyed boat. (PHOTOS: STEVEN ROSE)

Fishermen in Acklins have retrieved from waters what its believed to be vessel of Derek Collie, the man who has been missing at sea for almost a week, according to police.

Members of the search crew looking for Derek Collie. Collie, 39, has been missing for a week. (Photo courtesy of Steven Rose)

Search crews comprised of community members and local police officers have been combing the area and have taken their search out to sea. Divers have searched waters off Acklins and Crooked Island, but all efforts to find Collie are said to have been futile.

Steven Rose, who is leading one of the search parties said,  the vessel, cooler and gas containers were found at Michah Bluff Beach at Crooked Islands late Thursday evening.

“His niece also identified his clothing that had washed along the beach and the survivor who was able to swim to shore identified the items and everyone knew that that was his boat.” Rose said

Collie, 39, along with another man went on a fishing expedition on Saturday, despite a severe weather warning in the area. Their vessel reportedly ran out of gas and capsized.

Rose told Eyewitness News that the survivor reported that Collie insisted on going into the sea banks off Crooked Island and weather conditions intensified.

Meanwhile he said Collie’s family remains hopeful will be found.

About Genea Noel

Genea Noel is the news director and weeknight TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. She began working at Eyewitness News in 2018 as the newsroom editor and was subsequently promoted during her tenure. As a household name who graces the screens of thousands of Bahamian homes each night, Genea has racked up an impressive five Bahamas Press Club awards, including “The Cyril Stevenson Award for Outstanding Political Journalism” (2020), “Best Studio Live Producer” (2020) and “Best Newscast” (2018).