SS United States Gets Final Resting Place As World’s Largest Artificial Reef Off Florida

The historic ocean liner SS United States will be sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast in early 2026 to become the world’s largest artificial reef, local officials have confirmed.

Okaloosa County said the vessel will be deployed about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass, creating a major new diving and marine conservation site.

Planning documents show the 990-foot ship will rest at a depth of around 180 feet (55 metres). Due to its height, the upper decks are expected to lie about 55–60 feet (18 metres) below the surface, making the site accessible to both new and experienced divers.

The location places the liner close to the USS Oriskany, a 911-foot aircraft carrier that was sunk in 2006 and will become the second-largest artificial reef once the SS United States is deployed. County officials said the two vessels together are expected to strengthen the area as a globally recognised diving destination.

Okaloosa County announced on 18 November that it has approved agreements with Visit Pensacola and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida.

Visit Pensacola will contribute $1.5 million, while CCA Florida will provide $500,000 to support the ship’s deployment and a multi-year marketing campaign.

CCA Florida will also receive 10 aluminium portholes from the ship and a donor plaque will be installed on its upper deck or wheelhouse.

The nonprofit described the project as its largest donation in 40 years, with its executive director stating that the partnership shows how working together can benefit local communities and marine ecosystems.

Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon added that the project is expected to bring new opportunities for visitors and boost the tourism economy in Northwest Florida.

The sinking is part of the county’s $10.1 million plan to buy, move, clean, and sink the ship. The plan also includes $1 million for an onshore museum to showcase the ship’s history.

The SS United States has spent most of this year at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, where crews removed chemicals, wiring, plastics and glass to prepare it for artificial reef use. It arrived in Mobile in March after a 12-day tow from Philadelphia, where it had been berthed for nearly 30 years.

Okaloosa County secured ownership last October after a long-running rent dispute between the ship’s conservancy and its landlord was resolved.

Launched in 1952, the nearly 1,000-foot vessel broke the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage, maintaining an average speed of 36 knots (66 kph).

It crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, beating the RMS Queen Mary’s time by 10 hours. The SS United States remains more than 100 feet (30 metres) longer than the RMS Titanic.

Despite several attempts over the years to restore the ship, all plans were abandoned due to high costs. Increased public interest recently led to calls to preserve it, and a group known as the New York Coalition has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Pensacola to try to stop the sinking.

However, county officials have maintained that cancelling the artificial reef project would leave scrapping as the only realistic option.

Once deployed, the SS United States will join over 500 artificial reefs managed by Okaloosa County, including several smaller shipwrecks. The site will lie about 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) from the USS Oriskany, adding to the region’s list of established dive sites.

References: AP News, abcnews

Source: Maritime Shipping News