Police in The Bahamas are investigating the suspected drowning death of a 68-year-old American visitor whose body was discovered in waters off Hope Town in Abaco on Friday morning.

According to preliminary reports, officers were alerted shortly before 8 am local time after emergency personnel from Hope Town Fire Rescue discovered an unresponsive man in the water.

Investigators said the victim had travelled by boat from the United States with his wife and several other people.

The group reportedly attended a social gathering at a local business establishment on the night of May 21.

Police said the victim’s wife and two other individuals left the venue around 9:30 pm, leaving the American man and another male behind.

Authorities were told the victim later asked the man to accompany him to another establishment, but the request was declined.

The man reportedly returned alone to the vessel where the group had been staying.

According to police, the victim’s wife woke shortly after 5 am on Friday and realised her husband had not returned.

A search operation involving volunteers was launched, during which the victim’s golf cart was found near a dock in Hope Town.

Further checks of nearby waters led to the discovery of the man floating unresponsive near the Sanctuary dock.

He was pulled from the water and transported to the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor.

Authorities said an autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

Investigations remain ongoing.