Rebuilding Snook Bight

Snook Bight Marina, a full-service Suntex facility on Estero Bay southeast of Fort Myers Beach, Florida has been rebuilt following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

The storm, which claimed the lives of over 150 people and caused over US$112 billion in damage, completely tore away all the marina’s wet slips, its fuel docks and piles. Making matters worse, the 15ft (4.6m) surge left 8ft (2.4m) of water in the marina office, store and drystack barn, where it also destroyed the company’s forklifts.
Suntex put the reconstruction out to tender and selected Golden Marine Systems, with Panama City, Florida-based RJ Gorman Marine Construction as the contractor.
The new system utilises Golden 850 Series premium marine-grade 6061-T6 aluminium docks with integrated E-Tracks that allow the 12in (30.5cm) cleats to slide fore and aft to accommodate individual vessels. The marina is designed with a 240ft (73m) centre walkway with two 8ft (2.4m) wide x 725ft (221m) long cross sections, each with 11 4ft (1.2m) wide finger piers. All are finished with fade and slip resistant Endeck composite decking. The end result provides 70 interior and linear slips.
Snook Bight also has a 160-boat drystack operation, rentals, sales and service, a Suntex Boat Club and award-winning restaurants.
www.goldenmarinesystems.com