Bean Point closed to swimming after newest fatality

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (WWSB) – No-swimming indicators have been posted at Bean Point as metropolis and county officers actively work to make sure a safer expertise for these on Anna Maria Island.

In the month of August, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short tells ABC7 that there have been six incidents involving swimmers, two of them deadly.

The newest incident occurred Aug. 31 when a 20-year-old man drowned after being swept away with the tide whereas swimming about 100 yards offshore within the Gulf of Mexico. His physique was discovered the subsequent day after a large search by the U.S. Coast Guard and different businesses.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim and his friend,” Short stated.

“It was a tragedy nonetheless involving another visitor to the island who was unfamiliar with Bean Point and just how dangerous that area can be.”

Local constitution operator Capt. Scott Moore could be very conversant in the purpose.

“Some areas of Bean Point can be very treacherous with the tidal flow. You’re near a pass there on that point and there is a deep step-off too,” he stated. “So you may look with all of the pictures that you see these days with a calm waters and stuff but it’s not. The water running there can run about 15-20 knots on the full moons.”

Short and the Anna Maria City Commission will meet on Sept. 11, the place they are going to talk about any additional steps they could take.

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