Dredge MURDEN in Ocean City, Maryland

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (USACE) Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Mark Pollak looks out the pilothouse of the USACE dredge MURDEN during maintenance dredging in the federal channel of the Ocean City Inlet, July 31, 2026. This dredging cycle, the second of the summer season, lasts approximately 15 days to remove about 5,000 cubic yards of material. The dredged material will be placed at the near-shore placement site along Assateague Island to mitigate the impacts of sediment transport and erosion. By launching this second dredging cycle, USACE is fulfilling its commitment to a safe maritime passage, keeping the waters navigable for local commercial vessels, recreational boaters, and the U.S. Coast Guard's lifesaving missions. (U.S. Army photo by David Adams)