Rip current trapped father and son near Anna Maria Island. Video shows water rescue
A potential drowning off Anna Maria Island’s Bean Point was averted when marine officers with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office rescued a man and his young son that were drifting about 100 yards from shore.
The father and son were only identified as vacationers from Europe that spoke little English and were unaware of rip currents that can be common to some areas along AMI, a news release said.
MCSO posted a video Thursday detailing the rescue. In the 1 minute, 55-second clip, officers call in the rescue to dispatch before lowering the door to their boat, helping the son into the boat and then the father.
Officers then drive the boat closer to shore, where they drop the two off.
The National Weather Service defines rip currents as the following:
- Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
- Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers.
- Rip currents are commonly found on all surf beaches, including Great Lakes beaches.
Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said rip currents are sometimes incorrectly labeled as a rip tide.
MCSO said in a news release that beachgoers should look for signage about dangerous rip currents.
Safety tips for rip currents, per the NWS, are as follows:
- Relax, rip currents don’t pull you under.
- Don’t swim against the current.
- You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach.
- You may be able to escape by floating or treading water if the current circulates back toward shore.
- If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance.
This story was originally published May 1, 2023 at 10:37 AM.
