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Getman honored for Bean Point water rescue

Getman honored for Bean Point water rescue

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Sgt. Brett Getman, leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Anna Maria Unit, received the deputy of the month award for his role in the recent rescue of two swimmers at Bean Point. His actions also earned him an MCSO Life Saving Award.

An Oct. 10 media release issued by the sheriff’s office details the rescue efforts.

“On Aug. 9, Sergeant Brett Getman and Deputy Vincent Bowman were conducting a beach patrol when they were suddenly flagged down to assist two individuals who were being swept away by the strong current and clearly in distress. Sergeant Getman saw two men struggling against the current, 100 yards or more from the shore. Recognizing their immediate danger, Sergeant Getman promptly advised dispatch to contact the Marine Unit, the Coast Guard and Beach Patrol,” the media release says.

“Understanding the risk of drowning they faced, he removed his gear and entered the water while Deputy Bow­man stayed on the shore as a spotter. Sergeant Getman swam out to one of the men, directing him to hold onto the float while keeping him alert. Together, they managed to swim back to the shore. When they reached the shore, Beach Patrol arrived and Sergeant Getman instructed them to take their board and assist the other individual who was still in the water trying to stay afloat. Ultimately, the second individual was rescued by Beach Patrol and the MCSO Marine Unit transported him to a nearby marina, where EMS met them. Both individu­als were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment,” according to the media release. “In acknowledgment of his quick thinking, decisive actions and willingness to risk his own life to save another, Sergeant Brett Getman has been named MCSO’s Deputy of the Month for September 2025.”

The Aug. 9 events and a fatal Bean Point drowning later that month were among the recent swimming-related incidents that led Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short and the city commission to enact a short-lived no swimming zone at Bean Point. Due to enforcement concerns, the ‘no swim’ zone was discontinued. Signs placed along the Bean Point shoreline now warn swim­mers of the dangerous currents and inform them that they swim at their own risk with no lifeguards present.

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – In response to rip current-related water rescues in the waters off Bean Point on Aug. 9 and Aug. 12, Mayor Mark Short proposed creating a no swim zone at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island during the Aug. 14 city commission meeting.

Earlier in the meeting, Short praised Sgt. Brett Getman and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies Vince Bowman, Matt Daugherty and Nate Boggs for their roles in rescuing four swimmers who found themselves caught in the rip currents while swimming at Bean Point.

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed
The mayor proposed a no swim zone starting at Fern Street and extending north. – Google Maps | Submitted

On Aug. 9, Getman entered the water, threw a life ring to a 15-year-old boy who got caught in the rip current and helped pull him ashore while Bowman stood on shore relaying information to the dispatcher according to MCSO protocol while the Manatee County Beach Patrol and the MCSO Marine Unit rescued the boy’s 45-year-old father, who appeared to suffer cardiac arrest after being placed on a rescue board. The father was transferred by boat to the nearby Galati Yacht Sales marina and EMS then transported him to a local hospital where he died the following day, according to Getman.

Later that afternoon, a 73-year-old man drowned near the Sandbar restaurant, south of Bean Point, but his death is not believed to be rip current-related.

On Aug. 12, Daugherty entered the water off Bean Point and helped rescue another father and son in a similar manner while Boggs relayed critical information to dispatch.

“I just wanted to commend them for their acts of heroism,” Short said, with Getman and Lt. John Wren in attendance.

Short said Getman, Bowman, Daugherty and Boggs are being nominated to receive MCSO Life Saving Awards for their rescue efforts.

‘No Swim’ zone

When proposing the Bean Point no swim zone, Short said local residents 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,” Short said, noting all four swimmers recently rescued at Bean Point were visitors.

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed
These folks were swimming in the shallow Bean Point waters the day the no swim zone was proposed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We constantly have these types of issues come up and it’s always someone who’s here visiting who just doesn’t know any better,” Short said.

“I’d like the commission to entertain the idea of putting up a no swim zone up at Bean Point so we make it perfectly clear to visitors that this is not an area you want to swim in,” he said.

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed
This sign at the Bean Point beach access addresses rip currents and escape techniques. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Even though every designated beach access point has a sign that cautions beachgoers about rip currents, Short thinks the city should take it a step further and create a no swim zone that begins at Fern Street and extends around the northern tip of Bean Point.

“It’s clearly a safety issue,” he said when requesting future commission discussion at the commission’s next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28.

None of the commissioners commented on Short’s proposal, but Sgt. Getman addressed the risks he and his deputies face during Bean Point water rescues.

“It’s also dangerous for us to go in the water and get these people out. Please keep that in mind,” Getman told the commission.