Longboat Pass provides Gulf access to northern Sarasota Bay.

FLORIDA – TAMPA BAY TO BLACKBURN BAY – LONGBOAT PASS: Hydraulic dredging
Cottrell Contracting Corporation Dredge ROCKBRIDGE will be conducting dredging operations in Longboat Pass from February 16, 2021 to May 13, 2021. Dredging is to be conducted on the west side of the Longboat Pass Bridge between Whitney Beach and Coquina Beach located immediately north of Longboat Pass on the southern end of Anna Maria Island. Dredging will be performed within the currently marked navigation channel and dredged in continuous fashion west to east towards the longboat pass bridge. Approximately 5,500 feet of 20-inch submerged pipeline is to be used for transportation of material, entering on the south west end of Coquina Beach.
All mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, pipelines, barge, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. All operators should be aware that the dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables, which are attached to anchors some distance from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that they may be moved as the dredge moves. Submerged lines should be avoided. Mariners are requested to exercise extreme caution when approaching, passing, and leaving the dredging plant. All vessels are requested to contact the dredge
ROCKBRIDGE on VHF channels 13 and 16 prior to passing. Mariners are requested to remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations. Dredging operations will be conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work, a slow NO WAKE speed is requested of transiting vessels. For further information, contact: Michael Kay, Project Manager at (757) 547-9611. Chart 11425 LNM 7/21