Seeing boats gathering off Myrtle Beach area shores? Here’s why
Beachgoers in the Myrtle Beach area will be seeing small gatherings of boats just off the coast for the next few months as a project gets underway.
In recent weeks, the groups of vessels have sparked questions online as visitors and residents have tried to find out what the boats are doing. Their appearance marks the progression of a beach renourishment project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that started mobilizing in October.
Following the impacts of hurricanes Debby and Ian, in 2024 and 2022 respectively, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Garden City requested a post-storm damage assessment of their beaches. The assessment determined that renourishment was necessary, and funding was appropriated for the project, according to the Corps website. The project is designed to reduce damage to infrastructure behind the dunes along the Grand Strand.
The project is fully funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In December 2024, the Charleston District awarded a $72 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. to place 2 million cubic yards of sand along 26 miles of coastline, according to the Corps website.
The boats off the coast are part of the initial offshore equipment staging for the project. Dredges are used in such projects to bring sand from the ocean floor onto the shore to restore beaches that have been eroded.
This initial mobilization began in October, and construction on the beaches is scheduled to begin in early December 2025 in North Myrtle Beach. Work will then take place in Myrtle Beach in February 2026. The work will wrap up in Garden City and Surfside Beach starting April 2026.
The whole project is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2026.
Crews will not remain in one place for more than a week, and will progress 1,000 feet at a time, according to the Corps website. Work will take place around the clock.
Some sections of beach will be temporarily closed as renourishment progresses.
Residents and visitors nearby may hear noise as equipment moves along the beach during the project.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
