US Coast Guard releases video of sailboat seizure in Lynette Hooker case
Coast Guard releases video of the moment the agency seized Brian Hooker's sailboat "Soulmate" off the coast of Florida.
Newly released bodycam video shows the moment the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service seized Brian Hooker's sailboat "Soulmate" as it was being moved from the Bahamas back to the U.S. in May.
The release of footage follows a months-long investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, who vanished while on vacation with her husband Brian Hooker in the Bahamas in April.
She was reported missing on April 4 while boating near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands with her husband.
Investigators were seen searching for clues in Lynette Hooker's disappearance in the Bahamas in the Sea of Abaco and on land in Hope Town. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
In the bodycam video from May 9, it is apparent that the boat movers had no idea they were sailing a large possible piece of evidence.
In an exchange with the movers, an officer says to them, "Right now the boat is being seized."
"Oh ----," the captain responds.
Earlier in the clip, an officer asks the captain, "How many people on board?" to which the captain, whose face is blurred, responds, "Just us two."
The U.S. Coast Guard seized Brian Hooker's sailboat 'Soulmate' as she was en route from the Bahamas back to the U.S. (DVIDS)
It appears from the video that Brian Hooker was not aboard his boat at the time of this seizure.
The officer also asks the men, "Are you guys headed to Saint Augustine," to which the captain responds, "We are headed to Fernandina Beach. We're moving it for the owner."
The men are also asked by the Coast Guard if the boat's owner will be meeting the boat movers at the planned location, to which the captain simply says, "I don't think so, no."
The U.S. Coast Guard seized Brian Hooker's sailboat 'Soulmate' as it was being moved by boat movers from the Bahamas back to the U.S. (DVIDS)
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Brian has maintained that his wife fell from a dinghy at night and was swept away. Lynette's body has not been recovered.
A USCGC Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105) boat crew and U.S. Coast Guard Divers search for a missing person during a CGIS investigation in the Bahamas, Jun. 3, 2026. The Coast Guard's efforts were supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and K-9 Maggie from the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Coast Guard units included the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105), home ported in Miami, Florida, and Coast Guard divers. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The U.S. Coast Guard traveled to the Bahamas last month to conduct a dive search in the Sea of Abaco and land search with the help of a cadaver dog to try and find any trace of Lynette.
U.S. Coast Guard Divers search for a missing person during a CGIS investigation in the Bahamas, Jun. 3, 2026. The Coast Guard's efforts were supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and K-9 Maggie from the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Coast Guard units included the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105), home ported in Miami, Florida, and Coast Guard divers. (.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
They returned to the U.S. with the dinghy Lynette was last seen on, which will be combed for clues.
The U.S. Coast Guard retrieved the dinghy used by Brian and Lynette Hooker the night she vanished in the Bahamas. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
A family friend and advocate for Lynette described her as the kind of person who was always there for others.
An undated photo of missing Lynette Hooker (L) and a sailboat that the Coast Guard asked the public to help identify on May 5, 2026 in relation to her disappearance. (Brian Hooker/Facebook; U.S. Coast Guard)
"She’s the kind of person anybody would be happy to be around in any occasion," the friend told Fox News Digital. "She’s the type of person after the party that sticks around to help clean up. She’s a person who shows up beforehand to help you set up. She is your go-to person when you need a friend."
Lynette Hooker went missing after she fell off a small boat on Saturday evening. Her husband, Brian Hooker, reported her missing early Sunday morning. (Brian Hooker and Lynette Hooker/Facebook)
Brian has not been seen or heard from since returning to the U.S. after he was initially questioned and released by Bahamian authorities.
Brian Hooker leaves his hotel with lawyer, Terell A. Butler, in Freeport, The Bahamas, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital)
Brian Hooker has not been charged with any crime or accused of wrongdoing.
Fox News Digital's Mike Ruiz contributed to this report.
