OCEAN CITY, Md. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received emergency request approval to use USACE’s dredge MERRITT to remove 7,500 cubic yards of dredged material from the Ocean City Inlet this July.

This emergency dredging is based on the need for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to be able to respond in the event of an emergency. With increased boating traffic during the summer months and the arrival of the White Marlin Open fishing tournament in early August, there is an increased risk of emergency response by the USCG.

“We’ve heard the concerns from mariners and local officials and understand how critical this waterway is to both safety and economic security for the region,” said Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera. “Dredging in the Ocean City inlet is extremely important work and we’ve taken the necessary additional steps to ensure the waterway remains navigable.”

Dredge MERRITT is expected to arrive in Ocean City the week of July 21 and focus on the priority area along the northern half of the channel near the harbor. The dredging cycle will take about eight days to complete.

The MERRITT is able to perform maintenance dredging in navigation channels as shallow as 5.5 feet. The dredge will side-cast material approximately 85 feet from the vessel, where it will settle to the bottom of the waterway. Maryland Department of the Environment provided a Water Quality Certification in anticipation of the July dredging cycle, in compliance with the Clean Water Act.