The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) revealed the name of the new medium-class hopper dredge that's being built for its Ready Reserve Fleet.
The Corps announced that the new 320’x72’ vessel will be the Donnelly, named after the late Ray Donnelly, who retired as chief of resource management for the USACE Philadelphia District in 2020.
Donnelly received the de Fleury Medal (Bronze Order) in recognition of his 44-year career, during which he served in both the U.S. Navy and USACE. He was a key leader in the USACE resource management community and conducted a detailed analysis of the four USACE-owned dredges, examining the impacts of recapitalization on the national Civil Works program. Additionally, Donnelly played a crucial role in the financial management of the hopper dredge McFarland, which the new dredge will replace.
In April 2025, construction of the Donnelly commenced with a steel-cutting ceremony at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Allanton Shipyard. Since then, modular construction has been progressing steadily, with unit builds underway and fabrication and assembly of various key components, the Corps said.
Scheduled for delivery in late 2027, the new MCHD will be operated by the USACE Philadelphia District as part of the Corps' Ready Reserve Fleet, supporting its mission to ensure safe, reliable, effective, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation for national security, commerce, and recreation.
Designed by Royal IHC, the new 6,000-cubic-yard dredge will replace the McFarland as one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by the USACE. The Donnelly will have 65' maximum dredge depth with its suction tube at 45 degrees.
