Commercial Pier and Floating Dock Rebuild for Sanibel Harbor Marriott Resort & Spa
Sanibel Harbor Marriott Resort & Spa has been a recognizable Southwest Florida destination for decades, and its pier has long been part of that experience. Located at 17260 Harbor Pointe Drive in Fort Myers, the property sits in a highly active waterfront setting near Sanibel, where tidal movement, boat traffic, fishing activity, and guest access all had to be considered.
The pier is also home to the dinner ship “Princess,” which is moored at the end of the structure. Because of that, this was not a simple pier replacement. The project required a commercial timber pier, a concrete floating dock system, an aluminum gangway, and utility accommodations capable of supporting a large passenger vessel.
After the pier suffered damage from Hurricane Ian and other storms, WB Williamson Bros was brought in to address the damage and rebuild the structure for continued commercial use.
LOCATION
PROJECT TYPE
Property
Marine Features
Floating Dock Manufacturer:
Primary Challenge:
The Client’s Situation
The Sanibel Harbor Marriott pier has been part of the property for many years. Guests use the waterfront area for access, fishing, views, and activity along the water. The end of the pier also supports the dinner ship “Princess,” which created additional requirements beyond a standard resort dock or private marina structure.
Over time, the pier had been impacted by Hurricane Ian and other storms. WB Williamson Bros was engaged to address the damage and help return the structure to reliable use for the resort, its guests, and the vessel operations tied to the property.
Because this was a commercial waterfront setting, the rebuild needed to account for more than foot traffic. The new pier and floating dock system had to support access for a large passenger vessel, utility needs, guest safety, tidal movement, and long term exposure to Southwest Florida marine conditions.
What Made This Project Challenging
Our team evaluated the existing pier conditions, water movement, vessel requirements, utility needs, and access points before beginning the rebuild.Several project conditions required careful planning.
Storm Damage to a Longstanding Southwest Florida Pier
This pier has been a fixture at Sanibel Harbor for decades. Like many waterfront structures throughout Southwest Florida, it had been exposed to years of saltwater conditions, storms, tidal movement, and daily use.
After Hurricane Ian and other storm events caused damage, the structure needed more than surface level repairs. The project called for demolition and a rebuild designed around the current needs of the property.
Treacherous Tidal Current
The location is known as a popular area for anglers seeking snook, but the same tidal movement that makes the area active for fishing also made construction more difficult.
Strong current affects staging, barge positioning, piling installation, floating dock alignment, and overall jobsite safety. Working in these conditions requires the right equipment, planning, and marine construction experience.
Commercial Passenger Vessel Requirements
The dinner ship “Princess” is a large passenger vessel moored at the end of the pier. That created additional demands for the structure and its supporting systems.
The pier needed to accommodate commercial use and provide the right infrastructure for fresh water, electric, and waste water pump out service. These are not small residential dock details. They are utility systems that need to be planned and built with commercial and industrial quality in mind.
Floating Dock Access and Anchoring
The project included a Bellingham Marine concrete floating dock accessed by an aluminum gangway. The floating dock system was anchored with two 12 inch by 45 foot long, four strand, prestressed concrete pilings driven 20 feet into the soil.
This helped create a stable floating dock system that could move with changing water levels while remaining properly anchored in an active tidal location.
Our Commercial Pier Rebuild Solution
The project began with demolition of the damaged commercial timber pier. Once the existing structure was removed and the work area was prepared, our team rebuilt the pier using materials selected for strength, durability, and long term exposure to Southwest Florida marine conditions.
The timber pier was constructed with 14 inch butt diameter, 2.5 CCA treated pilings that exceeded 50 feet in length. Each piling was wrapped with PVC piling wrap for added protection in the marine environment.
The pier frame was built with 3 inch by 10 inch 2.5 CCA treated lumber. Structural plastic 2 inch by 10 inch cross bracing was installed and through bolted for added strength below the pier. The deck surface was finished with 2 inch by 8 inch Weardeck.
The framing and underwater cross bracing were secured with 1 inch through bolts, and the decking was fastened with 3 inch, 316 grade stainless steel decking screws.
Floating Dock and Gangway Installation
In addition to the timber pier rebuild, the project included a concrete floating dock manufactured by Bellingham Marine. The floating dock is accessed by an aluminum gangway, allowing the dock system to adjust with changing water levels while still providing access from the pier.
The floating dock system was anchored with two 12 inch square by 50 foot long, prestressed, four strand concrete pilings. These concrete pilings provided the anchoring needed for a commercial waterfront setting with active current, vessel movement, and daily use.
Commercial Utility Accommodations
Because the dinner ship “Princess” is moored at the end of the pier, the project also required utility accommodations beyond what would be found on a typical private dock. The pier was equipped with commercial and industrial quality systems for:- Fresh water supply
- Electric service
- Waste water pump out
Materials and Specifications
This commercial pier and floating dock project included:
- 14 inch butt diameter, 2.5 CCA treated timber pilings exceeding 50 feet in length
- PVC piling wrap for timber piling protection
- 12 inch square by 50 foot long, prestressed, four strand concrete pilings
- 3 inch by 10 inch 2.5 CCA treated timber framing
- 2 inch by 10 inch structural plastic cross bracing
- 1 inch through bolts for framing and underwater cross bracing
- 2 inch by 8 inch Weardeck decking
- 3 inch, 316 grade stainless steel decking screws
- Bellingham Marine concrete floating dock
- Aluminum gangway
- Commercial quality fresh water supply system
- Commercial quality electric service
- Waste water pump out system
The Finished Result
Since completion, the rebuilt pier has continued to serve the guests of Sanibel Harbor Marriott Resort & Spa and support the waterfront operations connected to the property.
The finished project restored a long standing Southwest Florida pier with a commercial timber structure, a concrete floating dock system, an aluminum gangway, and the utility infrastructure needed for a large passenger vessel.
For a property exposed to tidal current, vessel activity, guest traffic, and storm conditions, the rebuild required more than standard dock construction. It required a marine construction team with the equipment, planning, and experience to handle a complex commercial waterfront project.
Keep An Eye On Your Commercial Dock
Commercial piers, resort docks, marinas, and passenger vessel access points face a different level of wear than many private residential docks. These structures often deal with heavier foot traffic, larger vessels, utility demands, tidal movement, storms, and constant exposure to saltwater conditions. If you manage or own a commercial waterfront property in Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral, or elsewhere in Southwest Florida, it is worth paying attention to early signs of structural or operational issues. A few things to watch for include:- Storm damage to decking, framing, pilings, or utility lines
- Movement or instability in the pier or floating dock
- Deteriorating pilings or worn piling wrap
- Loose, rusted, or failing hardware
- Damaged cross bracing below the structure
- Decking that feels soft, uneven, or unsafe
- Gangway alignment issues
- Utility problems involving water, electric, or pump out systems
- Floating dock movement that no longer feels controlled
- Access concerns for guests, staff, vessels, or service crews
Let's Talk About Your Project
From commercial pier construction and floating dock systems to repairs, rebuilds, dock utilities, seawalls, boat lifts, and related marine improvements, WB Williamson Bros helps waterfront properties throughout Southwest Florida keep their infrastructure safe, functional, and ready for use. If your resort, marina, dock, pier, or commercial waterfront structure needs attention, our team can evaluate the site and help determine the right path forward.
Call 239-283-2013 or request a free quote to schedule a consultation.