American Woman Reported Missing During Overnight Catamaran Tour In Belize

Authorities in Belize searched Thursday for an American woman who has been missing for nearly a week following an overnight boat tour while vacationing with a friend.

Alison MacKenzie, 43, was last seen Friday during a catamaran tour run by Ragamuffin Tours off the coast of Belize. She was part of an overnight tour that included 14 passengers, one of whom was reportedly a male friend of hers, and a three-person crew. Belize police were notified of her disappearance around 6 a.m. Saturday.

Ragamuffin Tours said in a statement the tour was on its way to Rendezvous Caye from Caye Caulker when she disappeared.

“Ragamuffin Tours Limited is operated by a Caye Caulker family and as a family, we are deeply distressed and concerned as to the whereabouts and well-being of Alison Mackenzie,” the company said in the statement. “We are in contact with and have offered our full cooperation to the family of Alison Mackenzie, and we assure them that we will continue to do all in our power to assist law enforcement in their investigation into her disappearance.”

The U.S. State Department said it was aware of MacKenzie’s disappearance and working with Belize authorities to locate her.

“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” a department spokesperson told reporters. “Whenever a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with their family however we can.”