After delays in obtaining required federal permits, Okaloosa County in Florida has announced plans to sink the historic ocean liner SS United States during the second week of November, creating what is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
The vessel is scheduled to be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, weather permitting.
The sinking was initially planned for last spring but was delayed several times while awaiting permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners is working with our safety and security partners for a safe and efficient deployment,” county spokesman Nick Tomecek said. “This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry.”
Okaloosa County purchased the ship from the SS United States Conservancy for $1 million. It was towed from a Philadelphia pier in February 2025 to a shipyard in Mobile, Ala., for removal of hazardous materials. Its twin funnels and other artifacts were preserved for a planned museum.
