PANAMA CITY — A Panama City man who set sail from Maryland back toward his homestead has been reported missing during the last leg of his journey.
U.S. Coast Guard officials issued a search alert for Craig S. Neus Sr., 77, who is aboard the sailing vessel Mariah. Neus was expected to be somewhere between Boca Grande, northwest of Fort Myers, and his home of Panama City as of Wednesday, although family members believe he may have veered farther west off course into the Gulf of Mexico, according to Coast Guard reports.
The last contact made with Neus was Nov. 4. Due to concerns of Neus’ family and information from the last contact, the Coast Guard has begun a search for Neus, employing air and sea vessels in their efforts.
C-130 Hercules aircraft crews from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, along with HC-144 Casa aircraft crews from Air Station Miami and crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat home-ported in St. Petersburg, are actively searching for Neus, Coast Guard officials announced.
Since June, Neus had been sailing alone aboard a 32-foot, beige, two-masted Bristol from Baltimore with the intention of finishing his voyage in Panama City. However, the last reported contact with Neus was Nov. 4 when he made a purchase at South Seas Plantation in Captiva, officials reported.
Bridge tenders north of Boca Grande do not have any reports of Neus’ sailing vessel having passed under their bridges.
Anyone with any information regarding the wherabouts of Neus is asked to call Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 727-824-7506.