Skip to main content

Tag: Bridge Street Pier

Police department boat lift back on track

Police department boat lift back on track

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift has repositioned and repaired the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier and expects to complete the installation of a boat lift for the Bradenton Beach Police Department next week.

The boat lift installation is expected to be completed well ahead of the Sept. 30 grant funding deadline for the boat lift project.

On Wednesday, Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift foreman Tom Schied said the boat lift installation would take two to three days to complete once that work started. On Friday, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the Duncan crew planned to start driving the boat lift pilings on Saturday or Monday. The floating dock was open Friday afternoon and being used by boaters.

Duncan’s work crew, barge crane and other equipment arrived on Tuesday and made quick work of repositioning the floating dock 8 feet to the east, toward the T-end of the pier. That work included the installation of four new pilings.

Police department boat lift back on track
Duncan foreman Tom Scheid installed a cap on one of the new dock pilings Wednesday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The dock repairs also included the installation of new roller brackets that connect the floating dock to the dock pilings. The new roller brackets replaced some of the roller brackets that Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Company used when installing the floating dock in July and early August of 2019. Some of the brackets installed in 2019 were later deemed unsuitable for that specific location and application.

Police department boat lift back on track
The Duncan crew also replaced some of the roller brackets that connect the floating dock to the pilings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Duncan was brought in to complete the dock repositioning and repairs as a result of discussions that occurred during the Sept. 2 and Sept. 14 Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings.

Grant deadline

During the Sept. 2 meeting, Perry and Lt. John Cosby told the CRA members the long-desired boat lift installation must be completed by Sept. 30 if a $50,000 West Coast Inland Navigation District Grant (WCIND) approved by Manatee County commissioners in May 2017 was to pay for the boat lift.

During that meeting, Duncan Seawall General Manager Steve Porter confirmed that the boat lift had to be connected to the west end of the floating dock after the repositioning and repairs were completed.

Police department boat lift back on track
The police department boat lift will be attached to the west end of the repositioned floating dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

During the Sept. 2 meeting, the CRA members reconfirmed their previous authorization for Hecker Construction Company to complete the dock repairs and repositioning for $11,600. The CRA members also authorized Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to install a 10,000-pound-capacity boat lift for approximately $37,813 after Hecker completed its work – if that timetable could be met.

During a follow-up emergency CRA meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, the CRA members authorized Duncan to reposition and repair the premanufactured floating dock. CRA chairman Ralph Cole said a Hecker representative told him that company could not complete the dock repairs and repositioning in time to meet the Sept. 30 boat lift installation deadline.

“They couldn’t do it until October. We need this done right away,” Cole said. “I want to thank Duncan for stepping in and doing this. This has gone on long enough and we just need to get it across the finish line.”

During Monday’s meeting, Perry read aloud a written statement regarding Duncan’s offer to complete both projects before the boat lift grant money availability expires.

“Chairman Cole has dedicated significant time trying to work with Hecker and finalize the installation of the floating dock to no avail. It has been clear that Hecker is not in a position to accomplish this goal in a timely fashion. Fortunately, we have Duncan and Ronáutica who have understood the different challenges we have faced, and both have jumped in to bring this project across the line,” Perry said.

Regarding past events that also involved the Technomarine Group originally contracted to install the floating dock in 2017, Perry said, “Thank you to Oscar Saá and Ronáutica for providing the materials, shipping and releasing of them from U.S. customs to Bradenton Beach. Ronáutica had every right to retain possession over the floating dock; however, it looked out for the best interest of Bradenton Beach and made sure the city received the product it had paid for even at Ronáutica’s financial loss.

“We all know of the problems following the installation work of Hecker on the floating dock. Understanding the importance and needs of the city, Duncan Seawall has generously offered to undertake the work proposed by Hecker. They will also meet the critical deadlines of the WCIND grant so that our police department will have an essential resource for its marine patrol unit,” Perry said.

Police department boat lift back on track
Some of the previously installed roller brackets have been removed and replaced. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Thank you to Steve Porter, Steve Liebel and all of Duncan Seawall for your support of our law enforcement officers, the city and all of our visitors who will enjoy the Bridge Street Pier even more because of you. This project would have failed but for Duncan’s strong ties and commitment to our community,” Perry said.

She also noted CRA-contracted engineer Joe Foster had already produced the engineering documents needed to repair and position the floating dock and install the boat lift.

Related coverage

 

Police boat lift project may lose funding

Former Mayor Bill Shearon passes away

Former Mayor Bill Shearon loses life to cancer

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon lost his life Thursday evening to cancer.

After serving as a Planning and Zoning Board member and a city commissioner, Shearon was elected mayor when he defeated incumbent Mayor John Shaughnessy in the 2013 city elections.

Shearon’s signature accomplishment as mayor was guiding the construction of the $1.4 million Bridge Street Pier completed in early 2015 and co-funded by Manatee County.

Former Mayor Bill Shearon passes away
On Jan. 23, 2015, Mayor Bill Shearon presided over the opening of the new Bridge Street Pier with Commissioner Janie Robertson standing nearby. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Shearon and Police Chief and Pier Team Facilitator Sam Speciale worked together on the pier replacement project and later envisioned the new floating dock that now sits next to the pier.

While in office, Shearon had some favorite sayings that included, “It is what it is.”

When Shearon and the other commission members disagreed and couldn’t find common ground, Shearon often said, “We just agree differently on things.”

When describing a challenging or labor-intensive effort, Shearon often said, “It’s like eating an elephant: one bite at a time.”

During Shearon’s first term in office, Commissioner Janie Robertson was his most reliable commission ally, but the mayor frequently lacked the majority support of the commission as a whole. This hindered Shearon’s ability to pursue projects he believed beneficial to the city, including his long-desired, never-realized goal of establishing a managed mooring field south of the pier. He also proposed a never-pursued parking garage as a companion project to a mooring field.

Toward the end of his second year in office, Bradenton Beach voters removed Shearon from office and replaced him with Vice Mayor Jack Clarke as a result of the May 19, 2015 recall election.

Undaunted by the recall results, Shearon sought to reclaim the mayor’s seat in the general election later that year that resulted in he and Clarke receiving the exact same number of votes. After a recount produced the same results the following day, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett asked Clarke and Shearon to draw playing cards to determine the race winner.

Former Mayor Bill Shearon passes away
On Nov. 4, 2015, Bill Shearon drew the ace of clubs that won him a second term as Bradenton Beach mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In that now-infamous tie-breaker, Shearon drew an ace of clubs to best the 10 of clubs Clarke drew. Shearon then served a full two-year term as mayor before being defeated by former mayor John Chappie in the 2017 city elections.

During his second term in office, Shearon supported and had the support of the residents who would form the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) neighborhood group in 2017.

During and after his time as mayor, Shearon, who was legally blind, enjoyed his daily walks around the city with his faithful guide dog, Reece.

Shearon is survived by his longtime life partner Tjet Martin. In addition to assisting Shearon with his visual challenges, Martin oversees the operations of the Linger Longer resort that also served as the couple’s beachfront home.

Reflections from others

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore had this to say about the late mayor: “Bill was a friend to my husband and I. I knew Bill as a patient of my husband’s and we later worked together in Island politics, which is always interesting. He was a good guy who loved his city and loved life. Bill accomplished a lot with his disability. I learned so much about the value of working dogs and blindness. I will miss the fiery redhead who had a passion that many found hard to understand. My thoughts and prayers are with the love of his life, Tjet Martin, and with his family.”

Lt. John Cosby, from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said, “Bill had a good sense of humor and he definitely liked to do things his own way.”

Speciale said, “It was tough sometimes to work for Mayor Shearon, but it was easy to work with him. He had his own ideas about what he wanted, but if you could show him a different way, he was open to that. If you showed him respect, he respected you back.”

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper pollution concerns

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, Feb. 17, the city of Bradenton Beach issued a press release in response to concerns raised in a Friday, Feb. 14 press release issued by the Suncoast Waterkeeper organization.

The Suncoast Waterkeeper press release pertained to higher than usual bacteria levels discovered in the bay waters near the Bridge Street Pier and along Bay Drive South.

“On Friday, February 14, the city was informed by Joe McClash and Andy Mele that Suncoast Waterkeeper performed two water samplings somewhere in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Class 3 body of water adjacent to Bay Drive South. The city was told that the test result identified the presence of Enterococcus. Enterococci are normally present, as colonizers, in the intestinal tract of human beings and animals, and can be recovered from feces in large quantities,” the city’s press release said.

“Mayor John Chappie has been in communication with Tom Larkin at the Manatee County Health Department. Mr. Larkin was made aware of the boating community activities in the waters tested, the Manatee County force main construction activities adjacent to that area and recent boring activities for the undergrounding of utility lines on Bridge Street. Mr. Larkin indicated he was also in communication with the Florida Healthy Beaches Program in Tallahassee regarding this matter.

“Mayor Chappie has asked the Bradenton Beach Public Works Department to conduct local inspections at and around the Bridge Street Pier. It was noted a recent CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting that there have been higher counts of pelican fecal matter on the pier and floating dock, which may be the contributing cause for the recent water samplings collected by Suncoast Waterkeeper,” the city press release stated.

The press release also mentioned environmental projects previously pursued and currently being pursued by the city and/or the CRA.

“The city of Bradenton Beach has partnered with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and invested in the development and creation of a customized stormwater management plan to clean the water going into the water table and the water bodies.

“The city, through the Community Redevelopment Agency, has invested substantial funds to develop a living shoreline and use nature to promote an environmentally friendly aquaculture.

“The CRA recently authorized $5,000 to monitor the water quality impacts of the 2019 clam restoration project conducted in the waters near the pier. That authorization also includes the installation of seagrass cages that promote seagrass growth.

“The CRA also authorized $10,000 for the purchase and installation of 14 of the larger-sized Mini Reefs to be placed in the waters off the east end of the Bridge Street Pier through the Center of Anna Maria Island’s Go Green initiative,” according to the press release.

“The city has partnered with Mote Marine, S.T.A.R.T., Oceans Habitats Inc., Sea and Shoreline LLC and local restaurants and local fishermen for these projects. The city also supports the clam mitigation efforts proposed to the Florida Legislature in House Bill 3829,” the press release said.

Mayor’s thoughts

On Monday, Chappie also discussed these matters with The Sun.

He said city officials inspected the pier on Friday and looked for any possible sources for the bacteria.

He said the Public Works Department pressure washes the pier and floating dock every Friday and he noted that during a January CRA meeting Public Works Director Tom Woodard commented on the inordinate amount of pelican feces accumulating on the new floating dock.

Chappie said those weekly cleaning efforts may be a contributing factor to the higher bacteria levels.

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns
The floating dock in Bradenton Beach is a popular destination for pelicans. – John Chappie | Submitted

“This is something we’re going to continue to follow. We want to find out what the source is,” he said.

Chappie also said the city commission recently reached consensus to add twice-yearly E. coli testing to the water monitoring being done as a follow-up to last year’s clam restoration project.

Related coverage

 

Higher enterococcus levels cause for concern

A sailor’s life cut short

A sailor’s life cut short

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The liveaboard boating community in Bradenton Beach lost a friend and fellow sailor with the recent passing of 59-year-old Octavio Utrera.

Utrera previously owned and operated Anna Maria Island Sailing Adventures. His charter trips included the gourmet meals he prepared aboard his sailboat, the Zefiro.

According to Longboat Key Public Information Officer Tina Adams and Lt. Robert Bourque of the Longboat Key Police Department, Utrera’s body was discovered at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24 floating just offshore in the Gulf of Mexico near the 100 block of Sands Point Road by New Pass at the south end of Longboat Key.

On Monday, Dec. 30, Bourque said the case remained under investigation. Bourque said no cause of death had yet been determined, but the medical examiner initially found no signs of trauma to the body. A toxicology report was pending.

Adams said Utrera’s driver license listed a Holmes Beach address, but those who knew him said he’d recently been living on a sailboat anchored near the Bridge Street Pier.

Bourque said the last known sighting of Utrera alive was when a Bradenton Beach police officer spoke with him on Sunday, Dec. 22 at approximately 10:47 p.m.

Bradenton Beach Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz said Officer Eric Hill spoke with Utrera that night when he discovered Utrera’s sailboat tied to a piling alongside the south side of the Bridge Street Pier.

“Apparently his boat cut loose so he had tied to one of the pier pillars east of the floating dock,” Diaz said.

“They talked for a little bit. It was pretty windy, so there really wasn’t much he could do until the next day. When Eric left, he was still on the boat. That was the last time we had contact with him,” Diaz said.

A sailor’s life cut short
Octavio Utrera’s sailboat remained tied up at the pier for a few days after he passed away. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Diaz said Hill returned to the pier around 2 a.m. and discovered a second boat tied up near Utrera’s boat but had no additional interaction with Utrera.

Utrera’s body was located approximately 12 miles from the pier. When asked if it was known how or where Utrera wound up in the water, Bourque said that question could not yet be answered.

A respected sailor

Bradenton Beach resident Patti Clarke met Utrera when she worked at the Bradenton Beach Marina.

“He was a very dear friend of mine,” Clarke said.

Clarke said Utrera had been living in New Jersey for the past couple of years, but returned to the Island in September. Clarke helped Utrera acquire the use of the sailboat he was living on and they planned to use that boat to do charters together.

Clarke said she received text messages from two mutual friends who said Utrera called them on Sunday, Dec. 22 and said he was having trouble with the boat due to the strong winds and weather conditions. Both friends were out of town and could not help.

A sailor’s life cut short
In early November, Octavio Utrera took some friends for a cruise on the sailboat he was living on. – Patti Clarke | Submitted

Utrera used to dock the Zefiro at the Bradenton Beach Marina.

“We called Octavio ‘O.J.’ He was around the marina for many years buying fuel or getting repairs done. O.J. was a nice guy – quick to laugh and joke around. He escaped from Cuba on a naval boat. He was quite proficient at handling boats,” marina president Mike Bazzy said.

“He had his boat at my place a couple years ago. With the winds and the weather and the floating dock being closed, it was getting too hard to run his charter business out of the anchorage, so he rented a slip here for more than year. He took six people out at a time and when they came back to the dock everyone would be cracking up. He was a good guy to be on a boat with,” Bazzy said.

Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin operates his tour boat business from an office at the foot of the pier.

“When Octavio was doing AMI Sailing Adventures full-fledged in 2014 and 2015 there would be days when except for provisioning his boat and running to the market on a scooter he would be on the water 24 hours a day. Food was part of his charters and he used to make these amazing meals. He loved boating and he was great with people,” Baldwin said.

“He defected from the Cuban Navy. He came here because he loved America. He used to do this funny thing when he sailed in. He’d see some boaters and yell ‘Which way to America?’” Baldwin said.

Morgan Rothe met Utrera about 12 years ago when he sailed from Sarasota to Bradenton Beach.

“I threw an anchor down next to this guy and he said, ‘Welcome to America.’ He threw me a Busch beer from 30 feet away. Octavio was the first person I met out there. He told me he and some of his buddies were in the Cuban Navy and stole one of Castro’s patrol boats and escaped to America in the late 1970s. Octavia was a seasoned sailor. I sailed with him seven or eight times,” Rothe said.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is exploring the possibility of replacing the unpainted Bridge Street Pier railings with white plastic PVC railings.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Public Works Director Tom Woodard encouraged CRA members to consider PVC railings instead of painting if they really want the pier railings to be white.

Woodard made his suggestion in response to the ongoing CRA debate and discussion about painting white the unpainted wooden pier railings and/or the railings on the clock tower boardwalk that leads to the pier.

In recent months, Woodard has consistently opposed painting the wooden railings due to his concerns that Public Works staff would have to continually maintain and frequently repaint them.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier
Public Works Director Tom Woodard opposes painting the wooden railings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

CRA member support for painting the pier railings white has waned since the CRA canceled a proposed contract with Lowes Commercial Painting in early September. The members canceled the contract after the painting company requested an additional $3,500 in labor fees above and beyond the $10,900 it originally bid to paint the railings and pier gazebos.

During last week’s meeting, Pines Trailer Park resident Susan Billow said she’s in favor of the pier railings being white because it would make the pier stand out to those crossing the Cortez Bridge. She said it would also help distinguish the pier from the neighboring mobile home park. Billow said she really likes Woodard’s suggestion to use white PVC railings.

CRA chair Ralph Cole said the PVC railings could be installed as a test area on the boardwalk first, before committing to replacing all the pier railings.

Woodard said the wood railings could be repurposed and used elsewhere if the CRA decides to replace them.

The members asked Woodard to bring back some preliminary price estimates for the PVC railings. They also asked him to bring back prices for the Trex composite railings he briefly mentioned.

The pier railing discussions remain ongoing and no final decisions have been made.

Test painting

Members also discussed painting a small, inconspicuous section of the boardwalk railings white as a test area for paint durability and ongoing maintenance needs.

Given the current lack of support for painting the railings, the CRA members debated the need for a paint test. But Mayor and CRA member John Chappie insisted it be done because the members previously approved doing it.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier
A small, inconspicuous portion of the Bradenton Beach boardwalk railings will be painted white as a test area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chappie spearheaded the recent efforts to paint the pier railings white, but during the Oct. 2 meeting he acknowledged he too is having second thoughts. That said, he still feels the unpainted railings have an unattractive color to them because of the previously applied waterproofing sealant.

Woodard said the test area would be painted as previously requested.

Floating dock temporarily closed

Floating dock temporarily closed

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating day dock was closed on Friday, Oct. 4, and will remain closed until repairs are made to the gangway that provides access to the historic Bridge Street Pier.

According to Public Works Director Tom Woodard, Mayor John Chappie ordered the dock closed on Friday due to concerns about the connection points between the metal gangway and the floating dock.

“My guys noticed the connection was weak,” Woodard said.

Woodard notified Police Chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale about the safety concerns. Speciale then contacted the Hecker Construction Company, the firm that recently installed the pre-manufactured dock sections.

“We were told by Hecker the connection was not part of the installation contract and they connected it the best they could,” Woodard said.

“The gangway is pulling away from the pier and is not safe, so I called Delta Engineering to come evaluate it and engineer the proper connection. They found deficiencies and felt it should be closed until it is properly installed,” Woodard said.

“I should have the plan by Tuesday (Oct. 8) and we will get it fixed as soon as possible. This is a priority because that dock was closed long enough,” Woodard said.

Woodard was referencing the lengthy delays that plagued the two-year dock replacement project completed in early August.

Safety railings

Unrelated to the newly-discovered connection concerns, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently authorized a $2,295 expenditure for the installation of safety railings and dock ladders on the new dock.

Floating dock temporarily closed
Safety railings will soon be added to the landing area where the gangway connects to the dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After the repairs are made to the gangway connection, safety railings will soon be installed around the landing area where the gangway connects to the dock. The railings will prevent someone using a wheelchair, baby stroller or other wheeled device on the sloped ramp from overshooting the landing and falling in the water.

Safety railings will only be installed on that portion of the dock and will not line the entire dock. Two dock ladders will also be installed.

Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials continue their quest for more effective anchorage enforcement of the unmanaged navigable waters near the Bridge Street Pier.

Those unmanaged waters and the liveaboard boaters were discussed at the Wednesday, July 31, city commission work meeting.

The discussion began with public comment from neighboring resident Mary Bell.

“The anchorage and the mooring area is a big part of our community. I’ve lived here four years and I’d have to say it is a deteriorating part of our community. That particular area is the sore thumb in the midst of very positive progress going on all around it,” Bell said.

Her concerns include vessels being rented to other liveaboards, raw sewage being discharged into the bay, anchored boats serving as floating billboards, noise and more.

“You can get some really rowdy behavior out there, especially at night – lots of fighting, lots of drug traffic too,” Bell said.

Lt. John Cosby and Officer Eric Hill lead the Bradenton Beach Police Department’s marine enforcement efforts. A special act of the Florida Legislature in 2006 gives the city jurisdiction of the bay waters within 1,500 feet of the shoreline from Eighth Street South to the south side of the Cortez Bridge.

Bradenton Beach Anchorage Enforcement
Officer Eric Hill and Lt. John Cosby lead the city’s efforts to bring liveaboard boaters into compliance with boating laws and regulations. The unmanaged waters near the Bridge Street Pier are home to compliant and non-compliant boaters alike. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Cosby, Police Chief Sam Speciale and City Attorney Ricinda Perry have been discussing possible tweaks to the city’s marine anchorage and mooring ordinance and they were further discussed at last week’s meeting.

Limited capabilities

Cosby addressed Bell’s concerns and provided the commission with an honest assessment of the city’s enforcement capabilities and limitations.

Cosby said sewage discharge is governed by state and federal agencies and enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard. He said the Coast Guard recently inspected three boats anchored near the pier. Citations were issued and the judge levied fines, but the court does not order boat owners to correct problems they’re cited for.

Cosby said this creates a repetitive enforcement scenario that often results in new citations being issued for the same offenses after 30 days have passed.

Cosby said only five empty or abandoned boats remain in those city-patrolled waters. He said three of those were tagged for potential removal last week and two more will be tagged this week. Cosby expects at least one of the tagged boats to be temporarily relocated to Palmetto.

“Once they’re out of our jurisdiction, I can’t do anything to them. If they come back, I have to start this process all over again,” Cosby said.

“Everybody else is liveaboard. I have no way to remove these people off the boat in order to take the boat. All I can do is continue to cite them and go through the court system. We’re putting as much pressure as we can put on. I don’t know what else we can do. Our hands are really tied.” Cosby said.

Cosby said the enforcement challenges are partially the result of state legislators’ reluctance to take on Florida’s powerful boating lobby and enact stronger laws and regulations regarding non-compliant vessels.

Cosby said 38 derelict vessels have been removed in the past three years while working within the current limitations.

“We have some good boaters out there; they’re not all bad,” Cosby noted.

But he said one couple owns six of the more-problematic boats, and they live on one and rent out the others.

Cosby later identified the couple as Jeremy Thomas and May Galloway. Cosby said Thomas and Galloway been cited on multiple occasions for non-criminal boating infractions, and Manatee County court records support that statement. According to Manatee County court records, Thomas and Galloway were also both adjudicated guilty to second-degree felony charges for the sale of a controlled substance, Oxycodone, in 2012.

Requested changes

During last week’s meeting, Cosby requested an amendment to the city ordinance that would follow current state law and reduce from 45 days to 21 days the time the owner of a boat tagged as abandoned or derelict is given to request a hearing or bring the boat into compliance to prevent it from being removed.

Cosby and the commission requested ordinance language that prohibits more than three powered or non-powered vessels being tethered together.

Cosby and the commission requested language that prohibits attaching or tethering floating platforms to a vessel. They also requested language would allow for the removal of dinghies beached on public rights of way.

Mayor John Chappie said the city of Palmetto is dealing with similar issues. He suggested working with the city’s lobbyist, the ManaSota League of Cities and the Florida League of Cities to encourage state legislators to enact laws that better address derelict vessels.

Related coverage

Bradenton Beach’s new floating dock now in use

Force main replacement comes to Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach to receive $3 million in state funds

Floating dock installation begins

Floating dock installation begins

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The long-delayed floating dock is now in the initial stages of being installed alongside the Bridge Street Pier.

A four-man crew from the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Company drove the first fiberglass composite dock pilings on Wednesday, July 10. The crew is using a pile-driving mechanism connected to a mobile crane that sits atop the floating work barge.

The new dock will replace the storm-damaged dock that was removed in 2016.

Co-funded by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Manatee County, the new floating dock will provide short-term dockage on a first-come, first-serve basis for recreational boaters visiting the pier and the Bridge Street business district.

The floating dock will also provide limited, short-term dockage for tour boats, water taxis and other commercial vessels for loading and unloading passengers.

“They’re out there working on it,” CRA chair Ralph Cole said at the July 10 meeting. “I’m excited.”

Without providing a specific completion date, Cole said Hecker’s Operations Manager, Eric Shaffer, told him the company’s goal is to get the dock installed as soon as possible.

The Hecker bid proposal, approved by the CRA members in early May and finalized in June, includes agreement language drafted by City Attorney Ricinda Perry that gave Hecker six weeks to complete the project once the dock pilings were delivered. The agreement includes a $500 per day penalty if the project is not completed on time.

The pilings arrived at the county barge dock near the Coquina South Boat Ramp during the last week of June.

“I’m really happy to see this project coming to completion. We had some unfortunate circumstances and delays, but we overcame that through the efforts of our city staff and our city officials. I can’t wait to use it,” CRA member and Vice Mayor Jake Spooner said later in the week.

Bradenton Beach floating dock workers
These construction crew members helped guide the pilings into place. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar leases the city-owned restaurant space and two smaller city-owned spaces at the foot of the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

“A gorgeous view for sure,” Oyster Bar president John Horne said of the work underway. “I can’t wait to see boats rafted off that dock with visitors and patrons of Bridge Street and the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.”

Sherman Baldwin is the general manager of Paradise Boat Tours. The company’s on land terminal is located in space subleased from the Oyster Bar. Baldwin also serves as the vice president of the Bridge Street Merchants Association.

“The long wait is over. Thanks to the persistence of the CRA for making this project happen after facing every challenge imaginable. This will be an economic boost for all of Bridge Street,” Baldwin said.

Project timeline

In early 2017, the CRA entered into a $119,980 contract with the North Palm Beach-based Technomarine Group to provide the materials and install a new floating dock alongside the pier.

In the CRA’s 2016-17 fiscal year budget, CRA members budgeted up to $250,000 for the dock project. And Manatee County commissioners agreed to reimburse the CRA for up to $125,000 of the project costs.

In August 2018, Spain-based Ronautica Marinas shipped the premanufactured floating dock decking sections to Port Everglades. After some additional delays, Technomarine later delivered the dock sections to Hecker’s construction yard in Gibsonton, so the floats could be attached to the decking.

In early 2019, the CRA ended its contractual relationship with Technomarine due to the ongoing delays and began dealing directly with Shaffer and Hecker Construction. According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the CRA had paid Technomarine $83,682 of the $119,980 contracted amount at that time – and to date, the county has reimbursed the CRA $26,995 of the $83,682 paid to Technomarine.

In May, the CRA members approved Hecker’s $52,400 revised bid proposal to attach the floats to the decking dock sections and install the dock.

The CRA members also decided the CRA would purchase the pilings directly to receive the sale tax exemption given to governmental agencies. According to Perry’s May 15 project update, the pilings cost $45,704 when ordered.

The Hecker contract, the piling purchases and other additional expenses bring the anticipated final cost of the dock project to approximately $184,000.

During past CRA meetings, Cole has expressed his belief that despite these additional costs the final product will be superior to the dock originally envisioned.

Related coverage

Speciale steps down as dock facilitator

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Speciale steps down as dock facilitator

Speciale steps down as dock facilitator

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief Sam Speciale will no longer serve as the facilitator and city liaison for the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) yet-to-be completed floating dock project.

Speciale made the announcement in an email sent to Mayor John Chappie and the city commissioners at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.

“With the sending of this email, I am officially stepping down as facilitator for the floating dock project. A recent shift in the duties of individuals has put the direction of this project in a direction I do not agree with, and it is for these reasons I am stepping down. I will forward any correspondence to date with any and all of the parties involved and will advise all parties to forward any further correspondence to the city attorney and to the city treasurer,” Speciale’s email said in its entirety.

Speciale’s email did not specify which duties had changed and when contacted later in the week he declined additional comment. Speciale is not retiring as the city’s police chief.

City Hall was closed on Friday due to the Easter holiday and no formal discussion had taken place yet as to who would replace Speciale as the dock project facilitator.

Until last week, Speciale served as point man for the CRA-funded efforts to install a floating public day dock along the south side of the Bridge Street Pier. The new dock will replace the storm-damaged floating dock removed in 2017.

The dock project began in early 2017 when the CRA contracted the Technomarine Group to manufacture and install the floating dock for $119,980. Due to circumstances beyond the control of Speciale and the CRA, the yet-to-be-completed project has dragged on for nearly two years.

In mid-2017, Technomarine representative Ben Talbert predicted the dock would be installed that September or October. After that potential deadline was missed, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson promised subsequent completion deadlines that were also missed. Earlier this year the CRA severed its working relationship with Technomarine.

On April 10, the CRA members directed City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft a contract to enter into with the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Company to install the pilings and the pre-manufactured deck sections alongside the pier for $105,754. This will bring the estimated final cost of the floating dock project to between $190,000 and $195,000.

During the April 18 city commission meeting, Perry said she was still working on those contract terms. The CRA members want the contract to include a specific completion date, but that request is complicated by a separate permitting process with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The CRA needs an updated submerged land lease before the new floating dock can be installed.

Until last week, Speciale also served as the CRA liaison with the Environmental Science Associates (ESA) consulting firm that is assisting the CRA with the submerged land lease update. The update is required not only for the floating dock but also for the pending installation of a police department boatlift and the proposed installation of additional finger docks that would expand the public dockage provided by the floating dock.

On April 10, ESA representative Dianne Rosensweig told CRA members she would submit the needed documents to FDEP and the Army Corps by mid-May. She said she does not anticipate any more delays with the submerged land lease update, but she said she couldn’t promise when those two agencies would sign off on the lease update that is needed before the floating dock can be installed.

When the dock project started, FDEP considered it to be a standalone project, but the state agency now wants all three pier area projects combined into a single submerged land lease update.

Related coverage

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project

Digital trail leads to undelivered day dock

Day dock project pushed back again

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – It took two years, but the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finally has all the parts needed to install a floating public dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.

According to police chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale, 157 dock floats were delivered to the Hecker Construction Company in Gibsonton on Monday, March 4. Speciale provided CRA members with a project update on Wednesday, March 6.

“Everything is at Hecker. The only thing we have left is the permit,” Speciale told the CRA members.

He said Hecker Operations Manager Eric Shaffer is already working with Building Official Steve Gilbert to acquire the city-issued building permits needed before the dock installation can begin.

Speciale said Hecker’s engineer is now revising the permitting documents and expects to deliver them to Gilbert next week. He also said Shaffer plans to make an onsite visit of the pier next week.

“Hopefully, we will have a date they are going to start to install the day dock,” Speciale said.

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward
Police chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale provides a dock project update. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

CRA member and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie thanked Speciale and City Attorney Ricinda Perry for their efforts that kept the delayed dock project moving toward its anticipated completion.

Hecker Construction was originally subcontracted by Technomarine to install the dock. Hecker will now work directly with the CRA to complete the dock project.

The new dock will be installed along the south side of the pier in the same location as the original floating dock removed in 2016 due to repeated storm and wave damage.

Business impact

When installed, the new dock will provide more than 200 feet of free, short-term public docking for recreational boaters.

It will also provide designated short-term docking space for tour boats, water taxis and a proposed high-speed ferry service between Sarasota, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton. The lack of adequate dockage in Bradenton Beach delayed the anticipated start of the ferry service by more than a year, according to Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin.

Baldwin noted that for the past two years his passengers and other local tour boat passengers have had to embark and disembark from the nearby city-owned dock often referred to as the “dinghy dock.”

Baldwin said a return to the floating dock will make it much easier for tour boat passengers to get on and off the boats, especially for those with disabilities.

“In terms of the ferry business, my partners have been waiting patiently for a place for us to dock in Bradenton Beach and it looks like that’s going to happen,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin has already secured ferry docking locations in Sarasota and Bradenton. He said he now hopes to launch the ferry service during the peak tourist season of 2020.

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward
The new floating dock will be installed in the vacant space previously occupied by the city’s original floating dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We’re masters of our own fate now. We have what we need and it’s exciting to see this thing is finally going to happen,” Baldwin said. “I commend the CRA. In light of some real challenges they kept pushing and it looks like that patience has paid off.”

Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and former CRA member John Horne said this is the best news he’s heard in 18 months. His Bradenton Beach restaurant operates in pier-based space leased from the city.

“We’re looking forward to our guests and all those who love Bridge Street returning by boat and helping reduce some of the auto traffic. We get several calls a week asking about dockage and we can’t wait to christen the new floating dock,” Horne said.

Obligations met

The CRA entered into the dock contract with Technomarine in early 2017. The first anticipated installation date was September-October of that year. Manufacturing delays that Technomarine attributed to Hurricane Irma were then followed by several other delays and missed deadlines.

Providing the floats fulfills Technomarine’s contractual obligations and allows for the finalization of the CRA-approved mutual release and settlement agreement that Perry and Technomarine attorney Julianne Frank negotiated last December.

Approximately $36,000 of the $119,980 originally budgeted for the CRA-funded dock project remains available for the permitting and installation phases. Manatee County is reimbursing the CRA for half the project costs using funds generated by the 5 percent tourist tax.

Bradenton Beach day dock located

Digital trail leads to undelivered day dock

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials have found the undelivered floating day dock and are now cautiously optimistic the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) dock project will be completed.

Police Chief Sam Speciale and CRA chair Ralph Cole found the aluminum-framed dock decking in Gibsonton on Thursday, Nov. 8. This happened one day after the CRA members directed Speciale to use his investigative resources to try to find the undelivered dock sections.

Eight 30-foot aluminum-framed sections of composite dock decking were manufactured in Spain and delivered to Port Everglades in mid-August. On Sept. 25, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson sent Speciale an email that said the docks were delivered to a storage yard in Tampa. Sanderson’s email included two photographs of the decking at its undisclosed location and no information on a subcontractor to install the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.

During the Wednesday, Nov. 7, CRA meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry noted 10 days had passed since she sent Sanderson and his attorney, Roger Stanton, a letter notifying them the CRA was declaring Technomarine in default of the $119,980 contract agreed to in early 2017.

Perry’s letter gave Technomarine an additional 20 days to cure the contractual concerns before the CRA pursued legal action and/or asked the Florida Attorney General’s Office to investigate Technomarine’s business practices. Sanderson and Technomarine are already named as defendants in multiple lawsuits, including a 2017 suit that resulted in a jury awarding a yet-to-be-paid $1.7 million judgment against Technomarine.

Following a digital trail

During last week’s meeting, some CRA members seemed resigned to the idea that the dock project might be dead in the water and need to be started again from scratch. But member Jake Spooner said he could not accept losing the money, $83,682, the CRA already paid Technomarine.

During public comment, it was suggested that before giving up and pursuing the alternatives, Speciale be asked to call all the marine storage yards in the Tampa area in hopes of finding the undelivered dock components.

Local contractor and marine contractor Billy Cahoon then told The Sun he might know where the dock sections were, based on a photograph he saw in the paper. While the meeting continued, Cahoon was shown the photo Sanderson sent Speciale. Because of the building in the background, Cahoon thought it might have been taken near the Gandy Bridge in Tampa, by Orion Marine Construction and the Hula Bay Club.

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson suggested checking the photograph’s metadata and digital properties for information on where it was taken. The metadata included the longitude and latitude where the photo was taken, which is not always the case with digital photographs.

Using Google Earth, City Planner Alan Garrett retreated to his office and looked up the general longitude and latitude coordinates. Speciale then returned to his own office to research the exact GPS coordinates.

Using Google Earth, Speciale determined the longitude and latitude coordinates were slightly to the east and on the other side of Tampa Bay. When he zoomed in on the exact longitude and latitude, Speciale saw a white cabin cruiser sitting in an outdoor storage yard. When he rotated the view, he saw a building across the street that resembled the building in the photo Sanderson sent him.

That building is home to StorSafeStorage and using that address Speciale and CRA chair Ralph Cole drove to Gibsonton Thursday morning. They found the dock sections across the street sitting next to the cabin cruiser on the grounds of the Hecker Construction Company.

An employee told Speciale the dock sections were delivered two months ago and Hecker Construction has a verbal agreement with Technomarine to install the dock in Bradenton Beach.

While standing next to the dock sections, Speciale called The Sun and said, “We found our dock. We’re standing in front of it and touching it.”

In response to an email Speciale sent Sanderson later that day, Technomarine project manager Vinnie Frega confirmed the storage location – not knowing Speciale had already found it. In another email, Sanderson told Speciale the cleats and other hardware were still at Technomarine’s warehouse in North Palm Beach. Speciale is still awaiting word on where the dock’s pontoon floats are located.

“It was good to see the dock. It’s in good shape. Now we have to go the next step and get it, and I think we will,” Cole said.

Speciale said he’s feeling “cautiously optimistic.”

Perry will prepare for CRA approval a release agreement that if accepted would relieve Technomarine of its remaining contractual obligations. The agreement would assure Sanderson and Technomarine that no additional legal or investigative remedies would be pursued if the dock materials and additional hardware are released to the CRA. Hecker Construction could then install the floating dock as planned, working directly with the CRA.

Related Coverage

CRA declaring Technomarine in default of dock contract

Proof of pending dock shipment received

Day dock project pushed back again

Day Dock Tampa

CRA declaring Technomarine in default of dock contract

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Technomarine’s failure to install a floating public dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier has resulted in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiating contractual default proceedings.

The CRA members remain open to taking possession of the manufactured dock sections and finishing the floating dock project with another contractor. They’ve also discussed installing a fixed wooden dock instead. The previous storm-damaged floating dock was removed in August 2017.

The CRA members are considering partnering with the city of Pahokee and seeking a Florida Attorney General Office investigation of Technomarine’s business practices. In April, the city of Pahokee terminated its contract with Technomarine for a stalled city marina and campground renovation project and filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup $125,000 paid to Technomarine.

The Bradenton Beach dock sections were manufactured by Ronautica Marinas in Spain and shipped to Port Everglades in August. On Sept. 25, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson emailed Police Chief and Pier Team facilitator Sam Speciale and informed him the dock sections were trucked to a Tampa boat yard pending future barge delivery to Bradenton Beach.

To date, Sanderson has not provided an address for the undisclosed storage location and City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the dock sections remain Technomarine’s property until delivered to Bradenton Beach.

Default letter

On Oct. 18, the CRA directed Perry to draft a letter putting Technomarine and Sanderson on notice of being in default of the $119,980 contract the CRA and Technomarine executed in January 2017 and finalized in March 2017.

On Friday, Oct. 26, Perry sent the requested letter to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente and asked that it be reviewed by CRA chair Ralph Cole before being sent by certified mail to attorney Roger Stanton at Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office. Perry also requested that Speciale email the default letter to Sanderson.

“It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft.”
– Ricinda Perry, City Attorney

“To date, you have failed to provide a proper set of engineered plans in accordance with the request for proposal submission by Technomarine, failed to provide the dock materials paid for by the CRA on July 31 and failed to timely install the floating dock. Technomarine has been largely unresponsive and has provided little to no communication or reasonable assurances as to when your legal obligations will be performed,” Perry’s letter states.

“Despite reassurances from Technomarine that the materials would be delivered to the CRA— to date no such delivery has occurred. Significantly disconcerting is the testimony under oath provided by Erik Sanderson on Aug. 8 in his deposition from Karch v. Sanderson, wherein he stated ‘the city of Bradenton Beach project, to my knowledge is paid in full and 100 percent complete.’ Mr. Sanderson also testified the ‘city of Bradenton Beach doesn’t make payments to Technomarine Construction. They make payments direct to the factory and to the contractor.’ These statements were patently false testimony,” Perry’s letter states.

According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the city has made three payments to Technomarine Construction Inc. totaling $83,682 – including the $29,961 July payment Technomarine was supposed to reallocate to Ronautica Marinas.

When contacted on Monday, Oct. 29, Ronautica Managing Director Oscar Fontan said Technomarine has not yet paid Ronautica for the Bradenton Beach dock sections and Ronautica plans to file a $51,000 lawsuit against Technomarine.

Perry’s letter concluded by saying, “It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft. You have 10 days from the receipt of this correspondence to make appropriate arrangements to resolve the delivery of the dock materials. Failure to do so will result in my client exercising any and all of its legal rights to protect its public funds and this current project. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to work out an amicable solution.”

Perry recently told the CRA members it would be a waste of time and money to file a lawsuit against the financially-strapped company.

As of Friday, Nov. 2, neither Sanderson nor Stanton had replied to the certified letter or Speciale’s email. Company representative Anna Bennett did inform Speciale that she is no longer associated with Technomarine.

BB Dock Delays
The Bradenton Beach CRA members are now considering installing a wooden fixed dock alongside the historic Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Karch v. Sanderson

The Karch v. Sanderson lawsuit Perry referenced pertains to Sanderson’s Aug. 8 deposition as part of the ongoing legal actions stemming from a 2017 lawsuit in which Christopher Karch sought $3.87 million from Sanderson and Technomarine. In April, Karch was awarded $1.7 million, which he is now trying to collect.

In 2014, Karch agreed to serve as Technomarine’s qualifying contractor. The lawsuit alleges Sanderson and Technomarine wrongfully converted the proceeds of two multi-million-dollar marina projects and entered into those contracts without Karch’s knowledge or consent.

“Sanderson owns, controls and employs Technomarine Group as a sham entity to defraud creditors,” Karch claimed in the lawsuit complaint.

According to the written transcript of Sanderson’s August deposition, Technomarine Construction has not accepted any contracts in 2018 and is “unwinding as a company because it’s a loss leader.”

Sanderson also said Technomarine did not plan to renew the lease on its North Palm Beach office space and he was not sure if he planned to file bankruptcy, according to the deposition transcript.

Bradenton Beach day dock shipment

Proof of pending dock shipment received

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, July 23, Technomarine Chief Operating Officer Ryan Miller emailed city officials a draft version of a “bill of lading” for the shipment of the premanufactured floating dock sections to be installed alongside the Bridge Street Pier.

Miller’s email was sent to pier team facilitator and Police Chief Sam Speciale, City Treasurer Shayne Thompson and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) member John Horne.

“Attached you will find the bill of lading for the Trans-Atlantic shipping of the city docks. We anticipate 4 weeks travel time to Florida and will update you if anything happens to change. Please provide payment in accordance with the CRA’s document and let me know when the check will either be mailed to our offices or can be picked up at city hall,” Miller’s email said.

The bill of lading from the Worldwide Container Line is supposed to serve as proof that the dock sections have been shipped by cargo ship from the manufacturer in Spain, but in red letters, the word “draft” appears on the document sent by Miller. The date of issue listed on the bill of lading is July 28 and the “shipped on board” date is also listed as July 28.

This appears to indicate the dock sections are scheduled to be shipped but had not yet been shipped.

This prompted an email from Thompson to Miller that said, “Is this ‘bill of lading’ a preview of the one coming? If not the concerns with this one are:

  • It is marked as DRAFT;
  • It is dated for a time in the future, July 28, 2018;
  • It is NOT signed.”

Within minutes, Thompson received a response from Technomarine representative Anna Bennett that said, “The original bill of ladings get mailed to us international express at the office once they have completed loading/shipped. I always get a copy marked draft until shipment has been completed. This shows the ship, container numbers etc.”

When contacted, Thompson said he still needed input and authorization from the CRA members before he could issue a check to Technomarine. Thompson said he forwarded the draft bill of lading and the email exchanges with Technomarine representatives to CRA chair Ralph Cole.

On June 28, Miller sent city officials an email that said, “The ship will leave Spain on July 7th, I expect to receive the bill of lading by the 12th.”

Ryan had been previously informed that the CRA would not make the requested $29,691 installment payment to Technomarine until a bill of lading was received as proof that the pre-manufactured dock sections were en route to Bradenton Beach.

The CRA entered into the $119,980 contact with Technomarine in early 2017 and the project once anticipated for a possible September 2017 completion has encountered several delays.

Manatee County is reimbursing the CRA for 50 percent of the project costs.

Dated May 25, the most recent project schedule received from Technomarine said the dock shipment would occur between July 16 and Aug. 10; worksite mobilization and delivery of the dock would take place Aug. 13 to Aug 22; installation of the dock sections and support pilings would take place from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7 and project completion and final inspection would occur by Sept. 12.

If the dock sections take four weeks to ship, as stated by Miller, they would arrive in Bradenton Beach on or around Aug. 25 and it is not yet known if the projected timelines can still be met.

Related Coverage

Day dock project pushed back again

Day dock to open in early 2018

drowning Bradenton Beach

Liveaboard boater dies after water rescue

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Liveaboard boater and anchorage resident Brandon Nieuwkoop, 52, died the afternoon of Saturday, March 31 after being pulled from Anna Maria Sound waters near the historic Bradenton Beach Pier.

Nieuwkoop
Brandon Nieuwkoop passed away this afternoon after being pulled from the water near the historic Bradenton Beach Pier.

According to Lt. John Cosby of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, liveaboard boater Mark Hill was in his dinghy and headed toward the public dock near the Bridge Tender Inn – known as the “dinghy dock” – at approximately 11:48 a.m. when he spotted a body floating in the water.

Hill’s dinghy capsized as he tried to pull Nieuwkoop from the water, but bystanders jumped into the water and came to the two men’s assistance.

According to Cosby, Nieuwkoop still had a pulse and someone on shore administered CPR until EMS personnel arrived and transported him to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton. At 2:12 p.m., Cosby notified The Sun that Nieuwkoop had passed away at the hospital.

“We don’t have any idea what happened to him,” Cosby said of the circumstances that led to Nieuwkoop being in the water.

Cosby said Nieuwkoop had been going through some personal issues and had also been dealing with some health problems.