Crocker Marine Services takes select marine construction projects in Panama City Beach, Florida, in Bay County. Most private docks and seawalls here are on the lagoon and bay side — Grand Lagoon and St. Andrew Bay, along Thomas Drive and North Lagoon Drive — while the Gulf front is beach. The lagoon opens toward the pass at St. Andrews State Park, where the jetties separate Shell Island from the mainland. We're a Fort Myers company, so we handle Panama City Beach work on a select basis — larger docks, seawalls, boat lifts, and HOA, marina, and commercial projects — sending our own crews and equipment.
Marine construction services in Panama City Beach
We design, permit, and build every part of a waterfront project with our own team. Explore our services, or see photos of completed projects from our Southwest Florida work.
Docks
Grand Lagoon docks are usually sheltered, while bay-front docks on St. Andrew Bay need more attention to wave exposure and piling depth. We build new docks, take on dock repair and dock replacement, and add dock accessories and boat canopies and shade covers.
Seawalls
Hurricane Michael came ashore near Mexico Beach as a Category 5 storm on October 10, 2018, and the National Weather Service described the damage from Panama City Beach east to Mexico Beach as catastrophic. The rebuilding that followed reached docks, seawalls, and marinas around St. Andrew Bay, and a wall repaired in that rush is worth checking against current engineering. We handle seawall repair, seawall replacement, and new seawall installation in concrete and vinyl.
Boat lifts
We install boat lifts built by Coastal Boat Lifts in Fort Myers and handle lift repair — cables, motors, and controls. NOAA's Panama City Beach tide station shows a range of about 1.4 feet, usually one high and one low a day, so slip depth at low water and storm clearance drive the lift layout.
Marine inspections
A marine inspection gives buyers, sellers, and insurers a documented look at a dock, seawall, or lift — especially useful on a property that was rebuilt after Michael.
Permits and local conditions in Panama City Beach
Permitting depends on which side of the city line you're on. Inside city limits, the City of Panama City Beach Building & Planning Department issues permits. Much of the Grand Lagoon waterfront — Upper and Lower Grand Lagoon — is unincorporated Bay County, which has its own dock and seawall permit packet requiring engineered seawall specifications, a site plan with setbacks, and a Notice of Commencement for jobs over $5,000. In-water work also goes through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Gulf-front work falls under Bay County's Coastal Construction Control Line.
Conditions that shape Panama City Beach projects:
- City or county. Much of Grand Lagoon is unincorporated Bay County even though it's commonly thought of as Panama City Beach, so we confirm jurisdiction first.
- St. Andrews Aquatic Preserve. The preserve covers about 24,000 acres, including the St. Andrew Bay inlet, and protects several seagrass species. Work near it gets closer review.
- Post-Michael rebuilding. Work done in the rush after 2018 is worth a second look at connections and tie-backs.
- Seasonal manatees. Manatees move into St. Andrew Bay in summer. Bay County has no state manatee protection zones, but in-water work follows standard precautions.
- Outside our core area. Panama City Beach is a long way from Fort Myers, so we schedule select projects around crew and equipment mobilization.
Why Panama City Beach homeowners choose Crocker Marine
- True Price Guarantee. The price we quote is the price you pay — no change orders, excluding rock excavation, client-requested changes, or specialty permitting.
- Statewide license. CBC1266139 is a Florida certified building contractor license that applies anywhere in the state, and we carry $2 million in insurance.
- Experienced team. Founded in 2014, headquartered at 2101 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers, with more than 60 years of combined experience.
- Warranties. 15 years on seawalls and 1 year on docks. Financing is available.
Panama City Beach marine construction FAQ
Do you take projects in Panama City Beach?
Yes, selectively. Panama City Beach is outside our Southwest Florida core, so we focus on larger docks, seawalls, boat lifts, and HOA, marina, and commercial work, and plan crew mobilization before committing to dates.
Is my Grand Lagoon home permitted by the city or by Bay County?
It depends on the parcel. Much of Upper and Lower Grand Lagoon is unincorporated Bay County, even though it's often thought of as Panama City Beach. We confirm jurisdiction before preparing the permit package.
What does Bay County require for a seawall permit?
Bay County's dock and seawall packet calls for engineered seawall specifications and a site plan showing setbacks, plus a recorded Notice of Commencement for jobs over $5,000.
My seawall was rebuilt after Hurricane Michael. Should I have it inspected?
It's worth it. Post-storm work was often done under time pressure, and a marine inspection checks the wall, tie-backs, and cap so you know where you stand before a sale or the next storm season.
Does the St. Andrews Aquatic Preserve limit dock work?
It can. Seagrass and preserve protections near the St. Andrew Bay inlet can affect dock size and layout. We design to the rules from the start.
How much tide do I need to plan for on Grand Lagoon?
Not much. NOAA puts the range at about 1.4 feet, usually one high and one low a day, so water depth at low tide and storm surge matter more than daily swings.
How do I request a quote for Panama City Beach?
Request your free estimate online or call (239) 841-9674.
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