New ‘No Swim’ Zone Established at Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island
ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — A new safety measure has been introduced for beachgoers at the northernmost part of Anna Maria Island: a ‘no swim’ zone at Bean Point Beach. This decision follows a concerning series of drowning incidents in August, resulting in four rescues and two tragic deaths.
Mayor Mark Short emphasized the importance of this new rule, stating, “It’s all about safety. We want people to come here, we want them to visit, we want them to enjoy themselves, we just don’t want anything bad to happen.” The recent drownings primarily involved visitors to the area, highlighting the need for increased awareness regarding local water conditions.
The city has established a temporary no-swim zone along a 300-yard stretch of Bean Point following a particular incident where a 20-year-old was caught in a rip current just last week. Mayor Short described the waters in this area as “deceiving,” adding, “The tides can look perfectly calm, but you can’t see how they are moving and how fast they are going.”
Despite the warning signs posted on the beach, beachgoers were still observed swimming there on Saturday afternoon. Visitors and locals expressed mixed feelings about the new restrictions. “I don’t see why they should have those signs there,” said Triumf Jahiu from Switzerland, who was aware of his brother-in-law’s inability to swim yet went into the water with him.
Others, like local resident Gina Tedesco from Sarasota, welcomed the signs. She stated, “The waters out there are rough, and you never know what the currents are going to be that day or ever, so safety first.” With no lifeguards present, Tedesco emphasized the significance of self-awareness and caution when swimming.
Another local swimmer, Clayton Watts from Pinellas Park, noted that even strong swimmers should respect the power of nature. He advised, “If you’re not a strong swimmer, then you should understand and take precautions based on your ability to handle the currents.”
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, there are currently no fines associated with swimming in the no-swim zone; however, deputies will patrol the area to warn beachgoers about the potential dangers. Mayor Short mentioned that an emergency ordinance will be voted on at the upcoming commission meeting this Thursday, which would provide a more permanent swimming ban and restrict certain water activities until an agreement with the county is established.
Key Information
- Location: Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida
- New Rule: No swim zone established due to safety concerns
- Reasons: Four rescues and two drownings reported in August
- Zone Size: 300-yard stretch of beach
- Local Awareness: Mayor urges caution due to dangerous rip currents
- Enforcement: No fines yet; patrols will warn about dangers
- Upcoming Action: Emergency ordinance set for vote to ban swimming and water activities
Article original publish date: 2025-09-07 02:49:00
Article source: www.tampabay28.com
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