A historic ocean liner that once carried immigrants, Hollywood celebrities, and world leaders is on track to become the world’s largest artificial reef as a Florida county has approved a tentative deal for this unique transformation. Okaloosa County officials in Florida’s coastal Panhandle endorsed the contract on Tuesday, with the caveat that the ship must settle a court-mandated mediation process. This decision comes after a judge ordered the aging ship to leave its dock in Philadelphia due to a rent and dockage fees dispute that spanned several years.
The SS United States, the largest passenger ship ever constructed in the U.S., made its mark in 1952 by breaking the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing on its inaugural voyage. Conservationists have been working against the clock to save the iconic vessel, which surpasses the Titanic in length by over 100 feet. The proposed solution is deliberate sinking to create an artificial reef off the coast of Okaloosa County, joining more than 500 existing reefs in the area. Supporters anticipate that this reef will attract divers and tourists, boosting local businesses such as scuba shops, fishing charters, and hotels with an estimated annual increase in tourism revenue amounting to millions of dollars.
Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder expressed enthusiasm for the potential economic and cultural benefits of having the SS United States as a local attraction. The agreement for the ship’s purchase, with estimated costs exceeding $10 million, is nearing finalization pending the outcome of the court-mediated negotiations. The extensive process of preparing, relocating, and sinking the vessel is estimated to take at least 1.5 years.
President of the SS United States Conservancy, Susan Gibbs, highlighted the vessel’s historical significance and the potential for it to become a distinctive underwater landmark if transformed into an artificial reef. She mentioned that the ship has served as a symbol of American pride and excellence, inspiring millions globally. The planned conversion into an artificial reef aims to preserve this unique heritage above and beneath the waterline.
Kate Payne, a reporter for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, provided this update on the transformation of the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef. Report for America is a non-profit national service initiative that deploys journalists to cover underreported issues in local newsrooms.