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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — An area off Anna Maria Island known as “Bean Point” is now a designated “No Swim Zone.”
City leaders decided to prohibit swimming in a section of the beach following a string of drownings. The most recent happened over Labor Day weekend, when a 20-year-old was swept away in a rip current and drowned.
Some residents say the “No Swim Zone” should have been established years ago.
For Morgan Bryant, the peaceful feeling of walking on the beach never gets old.
“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 said.
But one day, this view didn’t feel the same.
“Immediately I knew there was something wrong and my heart sank,” she said.
Bryant was there this past Sunday when two men were swimming about 100 yards offshore near Bean Point. Both got swept away by the current. Police say one man was rescued, but the body of the other was found 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 said.
According to the mayor of Anna Maria Island, there have been six drowning events in August alone. All of the victims were visitors, 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 said.
City leaders say the recent drownings prompted them to make Bean Point a “No Swim Zone.” Visitors will find “No Swimming” signs along the north end — from the Fern Street beach access to the North Shore access.
“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 said.
He even shared video taken Tuesday and posted on the city’s Facebook page showing people struggling to swim back 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 said.
As Bryant continues coming to one of her favorite areas on the island, she can now walk with ease, knowing people are more aware of the dangers and are prohibited from going in the water.
The mayor says the city is working with the county and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to create a more permanent solution.
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Julia Hazel
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