Posted on November 2, 2026
The dredge Clearwater on an earlier project at New Pass near Sarasota. Photo: S.T. Cardinal, Your Observer.
The Doctors Pass maintenance dredging project will improve navigation while replenishing the beach near Lowdermilk Park in Naples. According to a City of Naples update, approximately 37,000 cubic yards of material will be placed along the shoreline from Doctors Pass to approximately 500 feet south of Florida Department of Environmental Protection monument R-58.
Sea Hawk Maritime, based in Largo, Florida, is carrying out the combined Wiggins Pass–Doctors Pass dredging project using the Clearwater, an IHC Beaver 3800 NG cutter-suction dredge. The vessel pumps excavated material through pipelines for beach placement. Clearwater previously worked at New Pass near Sarasota, supplying sand for Lido Key beach nourishment.
The city’s schedule called for staging October 23–28 in Lowdermilk Park’s northern parking lot and northern beach access area. Protective matting will be installed over sensitive areas, with dredging equipment and pipes delivered by barge.
Dredging was expected to begin October 27–29 and run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Sundays. The city estimated approximately one week of dredging, with completion anticipated around November 5–8. Removing equipment and materials is expected to take another three to four days.
The city’s dates provide a more specific schedule for Doctors Pass within the broader two-inlet project, which had an announced completion date of November 30.
Visitors to Lowdermilk Park should expect equipment staging and changes to access and traffic flow around the northern parking lot and beach entrance. The city advises visitors to follow posted directions.
