ANNA MARIA – Swimming is now prohibited at Bean Point in Anna Maria.
Implemented on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Bean Point no swim zone extends around Bean Point from the Fern Street beach access to the beach access between 831 North Shore Drive and 833 North Shore Drive.
The temporary white and red signs installed Tuesday feature the likeness of a swimmer and say, “NO SWIMMING.” The temporary signs are expected to be replaced by permanent signs next week.
Mayor Mark Short and the city of Anna Maria enacted the previously discussed no swim zone two days after Abhigyan Patel went missing while swimming with a companion at Bean Point on Sunday, Aug. 31. Patel’s body was recovered the following day.
On Tuesday, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued a press release that said, “Abhigyan Patel, 20, has been confirmed as the swimmer who drowned off Bean Point. The name was not released earlier out of respect for his family members living overseas and his father, who was on an international flight late yesterday.”
When contacted Wednesday afternoon, Short said, “The signs went up yesterday. This past weekend’s drowning influenced the decision.”
Regarding enforcement of the new no swim zone, Short said violators will be asked to get out of the water.
Sgt. Brett Getman leads the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit.
When contacted Wednesday afternoon, Getman said, “The signs were erected yesterday after this latest unfortunate incident. We are asking the public not to swim in that area due to the unforeseen dangers of the current and rip tides in that area. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols in the area, especially at sunset and on weekends. Our goal right now with enforcement is compliance through education.”
Recent discussions
On Aug. 14, Short asked the city commissioners to consider implementing the no swim zone. He did so after a father and son got caught in the rip current while swimming at Bean Point on Aug. 9. The father later passed away the following day. Two more swimmers were rescued from the Bean Point waters on Aug. 12.
When proposing the no swim zone, Short said most locals know it’s not safe to swim at Bean Point, but visitors don’t.
“It’s a great place to walk. It’s a great place to enjoy the view. You just don’t go swimming there because of the currents. Unfortunately, our visitors don’t know that,” he said, noting all four recently rescued swimmers were visitors.
“It’s also dangerous for us to go in the water and get these people out,” Getman added. “Please keep that in mind.”
The mayor and commissioners discussed the proposed no swim zone again on Thursday, Aug. 28. Commissioner Gary McMullen, a life-long Anna Maria resident, said there’s a steep and sudden drop-off where the shallow water suddenly gives way to deeper water.
“I agree, there is a need to do it,” he said of the no swim zone. “This isn’t the only year we’ve had people drowning at Bean Point.”
The commissioners reached unanimous consensus in support of the mayor moving forward with the no swim zone and consulting with first responders and law enforcement officers as to how to manage and enforce it.
Fatal drowning
Three days after the meeting, Patel went missing while swimming at Bean Point.
Monday morning, the sheriff’s office issued a press release that said, “At approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, witnesses reported seeing an adult male about 100 yards from the beach in the Gulf. He had been swimming with another man, who was rescued and brought to shore by people nearby. An extensive search was initiated by MCSO deputies and involved several boats, jet skis, paddleboards and aerial support from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard. So far, there have been no signs of the missing swimmer. The search continues today.”
A press release issued by the sheriff’s office later that day said, “A body has been recovered from the water just west of Anna Maria Island. The deceased is believed to be the missing swimmer. Deputies are in the process of positively identifying the man and notifying family members.”
