Dredge McFarland back in the game

The McFarland, a deep-draft hopper dredge owned and operated by USACE Philadelphia District, is back in the game.

After an extended time in the shipyard in Norfolk, VA, the Dredge McFarland began her first mission last week since returning to Philadelphia recently, said USACE.

“She’ll be dredging various shoals on the Delaware River south of Wilmington, DE to keep the federal channel of the river open for commerce,” according to USACE.

Designed by the Corps’ Marine Design Center, it was built in April 1967.

Its name honors the late Arthur McFarland, a Corps of Engineers authority on dredging.

The McFarland has a twofold mission:

• Emergency and national defense dredging – as required and on short notice anywhere in the world,

• Planned dredging tests in the Delaware River and Bay.