Anna Maria Island units No Swim Zone for Bean Point

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — An space off Anna Maria Island often called “Bean Point” is now a delegated “No Swim Zone.”

City leaders determined to ban swimming in a piece of the seashore following a string of drownings. The most up-to-date occurred over Labor Day weekend, when a 20-year-old was swept away in a rip present and drowned.

Some residents say the “No Swim Zone” ought to have been established years in the past.

For Morgan Bryant, the peaceable feeling of strolling on the seashore by no means will get previous.

“I come a lot because I live not too far, and my coffee shop is right around the corner, so it’s really close. And honestly, it’s the spot for sunsets,” she mentioned.

But sooner or later, this view didn’t really feel the identical.

“Immediately I knew there was something wrong and my heart sank,” she mentioned.

Bryant was there this previous Sunday when two males had been swimming about 100 yards offshore close to Bean Point. Both received swept away by the present. Police say one man was rescued, however the physique of the opposite was discovered Monday about one mile west of Anna Maria Island.

“We were coming for the sunset and we heard helicopters, and we walked on to Bean Point. And there were Coast Guard out in the water. There were all kinds of vehicles with their lights on,” she mentioned.

According to the mayor of Anna Maria Island, there have been six drowning occasions in August alone. All of the victims had been guests, and two of them died.

“It’s where the Bay meets the Gulf and the waters just get really choppy and people get pulled under all the time,” she mentioned.

City leaders say the latest drownings prompted them to make Bean Point a “No Swim Zone.” Visitors will discover “No Swimming” indicators alongside the north finish — from the Fern Street seashore entry to the North Shore entry.

“Bean Point is probably one of the most dangerous places to swim around the entire island. That’s where the inlet to Tampa Bay is. Unlike the rest of the island, you go out into that water ten feet and you’re in water depths over your head. The locals know not to swim here, but the visitors do not,” Mayor Mark Short mentioned.

He even shared video taken Tuesday and posted on the town’s Facebook web page displaying individuals struggling to swim again to shore.

“Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful spots on the island. But don’t go swimming there because it’s just not safe and so many people get pulled out. And so I’m glad that they finally put the signs out, because now people will know,” she mentioned.

As Bryant continues coming to one among her favourite areas on the island, she will be able to now stroll with ease, figuring out individuals are extra conscious of the hazards and are prohibited from going within the water.

The mayor says the town is working with the county and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to create a extra everlasting answer.