OCEAN CITY, Md. - A critical dredging operation is scheduled to begin July 21 in the Ocean City Inlet, as concerns grow over sand buildup that’s already causing issues for boaters and potentially hindering emergency response efforts.
Brendan Hanley, owner of Pure Lure in West Ocean City, said the channel near the inlet has filled in with sand over the winter and spring, creating navigational challenges.
“Just in the last week, we’ve seen a few get hung up right there,” Hanley said. “That sand has filled in tremendously, so I think it’s very important to get that cleaned up.”
The dredge MERRITT is expected to arrive in Ocean City in the third week of July.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received emergency approval to use the Wilmington District’s dredge MERRITT to remove approximately 7,500 cubic yards of material from the northern half of the inlet channel near the harbor. Officials say the emergency dredging is necessary to ensure the U.S. Coast Guard can safely access the area and respond to emergencies, particularly as boat traffic surges during the busy summer months.
The dredge MERRITT is expected to arrive in Ocean City in the third week of July, with work anticipated to take about eight days.
According to Hanley, the work must be completed before one of the town’s biggest events.
“Definitely has to be done before the White Marlin Open,” he said. “When that tournament’s here — it’s the largest and richest billfish tournament in the world — we’ll have over 400 boats participating.”
The White Marlin Open begins in early August.