MANATEE — Worry and hope are high among family members of overdue boater Glen David Brandt, who has not been seen since departing in his fishing boat from a Bahamas port more than two weeks ago.
On May 9, Brandt, 48, departed from the Nassau Harbor Club Marina in his 46-foot white hull, blue canvas top pleasure craft named Genesis. He was due to arrive at Marathon in the Florida Keys to refuel on May 15, but as of Tuesday had not arrived, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Brandt’s family members contacted Coast Guard officials at 10 p.m. May 19, saying he had not arrived in Marathon. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and requested the assistance of Bahamian officials, and nearby mariners to be on the lookout for Brandt.
Brandt has a fishing charter business and recently took clients to the Bahamas. After completing the charter, he told his family he was leaving the islands to return to his home in Palmetto, according to his daughter Lauren.
Lauren Brandt said her father, a Southeast High School graduate, has been running his charter fishing business for 12 years, and has had a boat for much longer. He also runs Brandt Roofing company out of Bradenton.
Brandt’s son, Kevin, traveled to the Bahamas and a search was conducted by a private plane over Bahamian waters without success, Lauren said. She said her father is a longtime boater, so hopes for his return are high.
“He’s very experienced, so we don’t know what happened,” she said.
Anyone with information about Brandt’s whereabouts can call the Coast Guard at (305) 415-6800.
