WASHINGTON (AFP) - A boat carrying 20 people has disappeared between the Bahamas and Florida, the US Coast Guard announced on Saturday (Jan 2), 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 130km away.

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 sq km), but efforts were suspended on 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.