US Army Corps of Engineers decommissions dredge McFarland

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District held a decommissioning ceremony at Fort Mifflin to honor the hopper dredge McFarland following the completion of its final operational mission. The vessel, which was launched in 1966 and completed in 1967, concludes nearly six decades of service maintaining navigational channels and waterways across the United States, from Texas to Maine.

Named after Arthur McFarland, a prominent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging authority, the ship was recognized by current and former crew members, maritime partners, and family members of the namesake. During the ceremony, the vessel's distinguishing flag was lowered and presented to the McFarland family.

The McFarland will remain in pierside standby status at Fort Mifflin while the Army Corps’ medium-class hopper dredge, the Donnelly, is under construction.