A boat carrying 20 people has disappeared between the Bahamas and Florida, the US Coast Guard announced Saturday, the day after suspending an unsuccessful three day search.

The boat, which left the island of Bimini on Monday, was due to dock at Lake Worth in the southern US state, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away.

The US Coast Guard said it had suspended its search for the boat that went missing between the Bahamas and Florida after three days. This photo shows Coast Guard Lieutenant Caroline Miller aboard a patrol boat off California on May 1, 2020
The US Coast Guard said it had suspended its search for the boat that went missing between the Bahamas and Florida after three days. This photo shows Coast Guard Lieutenant Caroline Miller aboard a patrol boat off California on May 1, 2020 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / MARIO TAMA

On Tuesday, the Coast Guard was alerted that the boat never arrived at port, according to a statement.

For the next three days, teams from both countries conducted a joint aerial and maritime search over about 17,000 square miles (44,000 square kilometers), but efforts were suspended Friday, the Coast Guard said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the missing people," said Captain Stephen Burdian, who urged anyone with information about the missing boat to contact the Coast Guard.