Emotional Farewell, Powerful Future: The SS United States to Become a Massive Gulf Reef
In Brief:
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Who: Okaloosa County officials, Nick Tomacek, Coleen Marine -
What: Sinking the SS United States to create an artificial reef -
When: Planned for April, pending weather and Coast Guard inspections -
Where: 22 miles west of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in the Gulf -
Why: To create a marine habitat, boost tourism, and preserve the ship’s legacy in a new way
OKALOOSA COUNTY — The historic SS United States is headed for a dramatic new chapter beneath the Gulf waters.
According to a report by Fox 10 News and an article published in Cruise Industry News, Okaloosa County officials are preparing to sink the legendary ocean liner this April, transforming the once-record-breaking passenger ship into what is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
The vessel, which will be deployed approximately 22 miles west of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, was acquired by Okaloosa County in 2023 as part of a long-term effort to expand the area’s artificial reef program and enhance marine habitat and tourism opportunities.
Built in 1952, the SS United States once symbolized American engineering might and luxury ocean travel. Out of service since 1969, the ship spent most of the last three decades docked at a commercial pier in Philadelphia before being relocated to Mobile, Alabama, where it is now undergoing final preparations for its assisted sinking.
Extensive Cleanup Underway
Before the ship can be deployed, contractors have undertaken an extensive remediation and decontamination process to ensure the reefing operation is environmentally safe.
The work, carried out by Coleen Marine, included removing the ship’s two iconic funnels and its main mast — pieces that will be preserved for use in a future land-based museum. Officials also removed oil, fuel, and other hazardous materials still aboard the ship.
“She had 200 tanks onboard, so all that fuel and oil had to be removed. What they do in that process is suck it out of there and take it to an environmentally safe area,” said Nick Tomacek, Okaloosa County Public Information Officer.
Contractors also removed non-metal materials and other potentially hazardous components to ensure the deployment benefits — rather than harms — the surrounding marine environment.
Additional structural modifications have been made to help ensure the ship lands upright on the seafloor during the controlled sinking.
Final Inspections Ahead
Final inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard are expected to begin soon. The exact deployment date will ultimately depend on weather conditions in the Gulf.
While some preservationists opposed the decision to sink the ship, county officials say the reefing marks a new and meaningful phase in the vessel’s life.
“While some folks did not want to see her sink, this is the next phase of the SS United States’ life, and she’s going to be enjoyed by divers, anglers, and enthusiasts for years to come,” Tomacek said.
Okaloosa County plans to livestream the reefing event on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach YouTube channel when the deployment date is finalized.
If successful, the project will not only create a world-class dive site but also cement the region’s reputation as a premier artificial reef destination along the Gulf Coast.
You can find the Fox 10 News report here:
https://www.fox10tv.com
The post Emotional Farewell, Powerful Future: The SS United States to Become a Massive Gulf Reef appeared first on Mid Bay News.
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