SS United States to be sunk near Destin to form world's largest artificial reef

Residents and visitors near Destin, Florida, will see the SS United States disappear beneath the Gulf of Mexico this Thursday. The vessel, built in the early 1950s, is being intentionally sunk to create what officials describe as the largest artificial reef in the world.

The 900-foot ship spent decades in Philadelphia before being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for final preparation. Okaloosa County natural resources chief Alex Fogg stated that the long tow required coordination with naval architects and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure the vessel remained seaworthy for the journey.

The project aims to transform the ship into a permanent dive site. Fogg explained that the county sought to increase artificial reef construction to benefit both the environment and the tourism industry. He noted that divers often seek out wreck sites rather than natural reefs or sandy bottoms, and the ship’s size and history make it a prime candidate for that purpose.

The SS United States had a storied past before its retirement in the late 1960s. The vessel traveled between the United States and Europe and was designed to serve as a troop carrier in the event of a future world war. Its retirement coincided with the rise of air travel, which made transatlantic ocean liners less efficient.

A nonprofit conservation group filed a lawsuit last week to stop the sinking. The group cited concerns about environmental impact, including potential harm to marine organisms and the food web. Fogg acknowledged the ship has a large following of passionate advocates who wanted to restore it as a museum or return it to service.

Fogg said no viable funding plan existed to restore the vessel, leading the county to pursue the artificial reef option. He stated that regulatory agencies oversee the cleaning of such projects to ensure they meet federal and state standards, and that all required checks for the SS United States have been completed.

The sinking is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, weather permitting. The event will be streamed online for public viewing. Fogg, a diver himself, described the experience of exploring submerged structures as a way to see fish and growth in areas that previously lacked natural features.

The ship’s new location near Destin is intended to position the area as a major dive destination. Fogg said the project is part of a broader strategy to acquire vessels for reef creation, with the SS United States selected due to its unique size and historical profile.