Historic Ocean Liner Set To Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef

SS United States, a historic ocean liner, will soon be intentionally sunk off the coast of Florida to establish the world’s largest artificial reef.

Okaloosa County officials in Florida’s Panhandle have signed a tentative agreement to acquire the ship, awaiting the court-ordered mediation.

The ship, known for transporting celebrities, heads of state and immigrants, has been docked at a Philadelphia pier for years while conservationists search for a new home for the old vessel.

The SS United States, launched in 1951, continues to hold the record for the fastest transatlantic journey.

Its future as an artificial reef comes after a legal dispute between the SS United States Conservancy, the ship’s nonprofit owner, and Penn Warehousing, the operator of the Philadelphia pier.

A U.S. District Court ordered the ship to leave its port due to unpaid dockage payments, forcing conservationists to explore other options.

Despite earlier preferences for preservation, the nonprofit recognized that converting the ship into a reef is a preferable option than destroying it.

Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder expressed enthusiasm about the possible transformation, stating that the reef could benefit not only the diving community but also fishing and local tourism.

The county expects the reef to attract divers from all over the world, generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue for local businesses, including charter boats and scuba shops.

The cost of acquiring and transforming the ship is estimated to exceed $10 million. The plan involves cleaning the vessel to ensure environmental safety, moving it to the Gulf of Mexico, and finally sinking it as a diving attraction.

The entire process, including environmental remediation, is expected to take at least 1.5 years.

Paul Mixon, Chairman of the Okaloosa County Board, talked about the project’s economic benefits, referring to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s estimate of a 13,800% return on investment from artificial reefs in the region.

Though the exact sinking spot has not been finalized, the ship will be placed in an area accessible to divers of any level of skill in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The plan also includes funding a land-based museum to honour and preserve the SS United States’ rich legacy.

Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy, praised the ship’s transformation and stated that it will be a unique historical attraction both above and below water.

Reference: AP News, Interesting Engineer

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