Ship off Barefoot Beach part of US-South America internet project tied to incoming data center

Bonita Springs city officials have confirmed that the ship spotted by people off the coast of Barefoot Beach is part of a project to create a new internet network between the United States and South America.

The project will connect fiber optic cables laid on the floor of the Gulf, all the way to Panama.

City documents also describe the project as being tied to a data center planned for Imperial River Road. Mayor Mike Gibson said it will not be an AI data center and does not pose the same risks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the project received a dredging permit in November 2025 and added that the work has no expected impact on turtles during nesting season.