Okaloosa County officials are set to complete a $13.5 million project that will turn the legendary SS United States into the Gulf of Mexico’s largest artificial reef. The historic liner, longer than the Titanic and once the fastest passenger ship on the seas, will be scuttled Wednesday about 25 miles southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola.
Local benefits and tourism focus
The reef is expected to draw divers of all skill levels and sport‑fishing enthusiasts seeking tuna, marlin and swordfish. Because the ship will settle in roughly 180 feet of water with its deck only 60 feet below the surface, even relatively inexperienced divers can explore the wreck, providing a new draw for the region’s tourism economy.
Preparation and environmental safeguards
County spokesperson Nick Tomecek explained that federal environmental and explosives regulations prohibit the use of explosives to sink the vessel. Instead, workers have removed the 65‑foot smokestacks, cut 10‑by‑10‑foot openings in the decks, and taken out more than 400 portholes. The ship’s boiler‑cooling tanks have also been stripped, allowing seawater to flood the hull once valves are opened.
These steps ensure a controlled, environmentally responsible sinking that will not leave hazardous debris on the seabed. The project follows a similar effort in 2006 when the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany was turned into an artificial reef off Pensacola, creating a popular dive site that can now be visited in the same day as the new SS United States reef.
Historical significance
Launched in 1952, the SS United States crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times, carrying notable passengers such as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, President John F. Kennedy and Britain’s former King Edward VIII. In 1968, a young Bill Clinton rode the ship to Oxford University, decades before his own presidential tenure.
On its maiden voyage, the liner set a speed record of nearly 41 miles per hour, beating Britain’s RMS Queen Mary by 4.5 mph even as a 69‑mph gale battered the ship. The vessel’s designer’s granddaughter, Susan Gibbs, said the ship “embodies and expresses this country’s best,” highlighting its legacy of pride, resilience and beauty.
Community involvement and future plans
David Lawrence, a board member of the SS United States Conservancy, emphasized the goal of preserving the ship’s heritage rather than allowing it to become scrap metal. The removed smokestacks are slated to anchor a new museum that will celebrate the liner’s history.
Local officials are optimistic that the reef will enhance the area’s reputation as a premier diving destination. Tomecek noted that the region already hosts about 500 artificial reefs, and adding the SS United States will further solidify the Gulf’s standing among divers worldwide.
What to expect
After the sinking, the wreck will rest on the ocean floor at a depth that makes it accessible for both seasoned and novice divers. The project is expected to generate economic activity for local dive shops, charter operators, hotels and restaurants, reinforcing Okaloosa County’s commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
