Crocker Marine Services designs, builds, and repairs docks, seawalls, and boat lifts throughout North Fort Myers, Florida, in unincorporated Lee County. North Fort Myers runs along the north bank of the Caloosahatchee River, with canal communities like Waterway Estates, Moody River, and Yacht Club Colony branching off it, plus tidal creeks — Hancock Creek, Yellow Fever Creek, Bayshore. Some lots have direct river frontage; more sit on a canal a short run from open water. Because the area is unincorporated, permitting runs through Lee County rather than a city.
Marine construction services in North Fort Myers
Crocker Marine is a full-service marine contractor — docks, seawalls, boat lifts, dredging, and inspections, handled in-house. See the full range of services or browse completed projects across Southwest Florida.
Docks
River-frontage docks take current and wake and get built accordingly; canal and creek docks are calmer but sit in shallow, brackish tidal water. We build fixed and floating docks sized to the lot and the vessel: new dock installation, repair, replacement, accessories, and canopies and shade covers.
Seawalls
The North Fort Myers canal communities were built out in the 1960s and 70s, so their seawalls are at or past a normal service life, and Ian's 2022 surge on the north bank pushed a lot of them over the edge. We install and replace concrete and vinyl seawalls and extend the life of sound ones with repair and maintenance — or handle the full replacement or a new wall.
Boat lifts
We install and service boat lifts from Coastal Boat Lifts in Fort Myers, sized to the vessel and, on the shallow creeks, to the low-water depth. Boat lift repair covers cables, motors, bunks, and controls.
Dredging
Hancock and Yellow Fever creeks and the older canal ends shoal over time. Our residential dredging restores permitted depth so a boat can reach the dock at low tide, with permitting handled.
Marine inspections
Our marine inspections give buyers, sellers, and insurers a written condition report on the dock, seawall, and lift — the parts of a canal property most likely to hold an expensive surprise.
Permits and local conditions in North Fort Myers
North Fort Myers is unincorporated, so marine-construction permits go through Lee County — there is no city permit office — along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work below the mean high-water line. We prepare and submit the survey and drawings.
- Manatee zones. The stretch of the Caloosahatchee near the Orange River and the W.P. Franklin Lock is a designated manatee protection area with slow-speed rules, and in-water work there can carry manatee-protection conditions or seasonal windows.
- River vs canal frontage. Direct river frontage gives depth but brings current and channel wake; a canal lot is calmer but may need dredging to hold depth.
- Shallow tidal creeks. Hancock Creek, Yellow Fever Creek, and Bayshore are shallow and tidal — low-water depth is checked before any dock or lift design.
- Hurricane Ian. The 2022 surge came up the river's north bank; much of the current seawall work here is storm replacement.
Why North Fort Myers homeowners choose Crocker Marine
- True Price Guarantee. The quoted price is the price you pay — no change orders, excluding rock excavation, client-requested changes, or specialty permitting.
- Licensed and insured. Florida certified building contractor CBC1266139, with $2 million in insurance coverage.
- Local. Our showroom is minutes away at 2101 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers, backed by more than 60 years of combined experience.
- Warranties. A 15-year seawall warranty and a 1-year dock warranty.
North Fort Myers marine construction FAQ
Who issues permits in North Fort Myers?
Lee County — North Fort Myers is unincorporated, so there's no city permit office. Work below the high-water line also needs FDEP and Army Corps sign-off. We handle all of it.
Do manatee zones affect my dock or seawall project?
In the Orange River and Franklin Lock area, yes — slow-speed zones apply and in-water construction can carry manatee-protection conditions or seasonal work windows. It's built into the permit.
River frontage or canal — which is better for a boat lift?
The river gives you depth but adds current and channel wake, so the lift and pilings are built heavier. A canal is calmer and easier on equipment but may need dredging to keep enough water under the boat.
How old are the seawalls in the North Fort Myers canal communities?
Many are 45 to 55 years old — the communities were built out in the 60s and 70s. Replacement is common, and Ian accelerated it.
Was there Hurricane Ian damage on the north bank?
Yes — surge came up the river and into the canals, and a large share of our current work here is storm-driven seawall and dock replacement. Request a free estimate or call (239) 841-9674.
Nearby service areas
Cape Coral · Fort Myers · Matlacha · Pine Island · Bokeelia · Punta Gorda
