Received from Florida Harbour Pilots Association:
The St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Captain Phillip Brady, age 46, on January 12, 2026. Captain Brady, a 2001 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) from Mobile, Alabama, had served the state for six years as a Florida harbor pilot in Panama City. He tragically died after a fall from a pilot ladder while disembarking the outbound vessel MV LOWLANDS LUCK. Despite immediate and heroic recovery efforts by the pilot boat operator, Captain Brady succumbed to his injuries.
Captain Brady was a respected and dedicated professional mariner whose loss is felt profoundly throughout the maritime community. He is survived by his fiancée and two young children.
We ask the public to keep Captain Brady’s family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time, as well as the pilot boat operator, Captain Brady’s fellow Panama City pilot Captain Zach Condon, and Captain Matt Meilstrup – a Pensacola pilot who was cross-training in Panama City and accompanying Captain Brady.
At this time, the incident remains under active investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the accident are not yet known. We respectfully ask for patience as the investigation continues. In the meantime, we encourage the Panama City and maritime community to focus on supporting Captain Brady’s family and one another during this difficult time of loss.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, and not the St. Andrew's Pilots, at 850.224.0219 or Gretchen@floridapilots.com
The St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Captain Phillip Brady, age 46, on January 12, 2026. Captain Brady, a 2001 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) from Mobile, Alabama, had served the state for six years as a Florida harbor pilot in Panama City. He tragically died after a fall from a pilot ladder while disembarking the outbound vessel MV LOWLANDS LUCK. Despite immediate and heroic recovery efforts by the pilot boat operator, Captain Brady succumbed to his injuries.
Captain Brady was a respected and dedicated professional mariner whose loss is felt profoundly throughout the maritime community. He is survived by his fiancée and two young children.
We ask the public to keep Captain Brady’s family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time, as well as the pilot boat operator, Captain Brady’s fellow Panama City pilot Captain Zach Condon, and Captain Matt Meilstrup – a Pensacola pilot who was cross-training in Panama City and accompanying Captain Brady.
At this time, the incident remains under active investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the accident are not yet known. We respectfully ask for patience as the investigation continues. In the meantime, we encourage the Panama City and maritime community to focus on supporting Captain Brady’s family and one another during this difficult time of loss.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, and not the St. Andrew's Pilots, at 850.224.0219 or Gretchen@floridapilots.com
