SS United States Moves Closer To Becoming The World’s Largest Artificial Reef

The legendary SS United States has completed its final voyage, arriving in Mobile, Alabama, ahead of schedule.

The 990-foot-long ocean liner, once the fastest passenger ship in the world, departed Philadelphia on February 19, 2025, for its 1,800-mile journey to Mobile.

The ship is now set to undergo extensive preparations before becoming the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida.

Despite initial concerns about stability and rough weather near Virginia, the SS United States made steady progress under tow by the tugboat Vinik No. 6.

Captain Mike Vinik had earlier reported that the ship was moving at a better-than-expected speed, largely due to favorable conditions and strategic navigation inside the Gulf Stream, which reduced resistance.

The ship arrived offshore Mobile late on March 3 and was maneuvered into its berth at the Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) facility the following day with assistance from local tugboats.

During its journey, the ship followed a coastal route, drawing spectators at various points along the East Coast and Florida.

Video Credits: 6abc Philadelphia/YouTube

A notable moment occurred when Utopia of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, altered its course to rendezvous with the SS United States.

The massive 236,473-gross-ton cruise ship, at 1,188 feet in length, dwarfed the aging 53,329-gross-ton ocean liner, creating a striking visual contrast.

Now berthed in Mobile, work has begun on removing hazardous materials from the ship.

The process includes extracting fuel, removing loose paint, and dismantling key structures such as the radar mast, funnels, cargo kingposts, windows, and portholes.

The ship’s interior will also be stripped of contaminants, including potentially harmful substances like asbestos.

The remediation process is expected to take up to a year before the hull can be relocated to its final resting place in Florida’s Gulf Coast.

A team of around 30 workers will be involved in carefully removing all non-metal materials that could pose risks to marine life.

Once the ship is fully prepared, it will be sunk about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Destin, Florida, at a depth of approximately 180 feet. The SS United States will serve as a habitat for marine life and an attraction for divers.

Okaloosa County’s Tourist Development Department, which acquired the ship in late 2024 for $10.1 million, is also working on a land-based museum in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The museum will showcase the ship’s history and feature salvaged items such as the funnels, radar mast, and other signature components.

The SS United States Conservancy is collaborating on this project and will contribute artifacts from its archives.

A documentary is also in development, which will showcase the ship’s rich history, including its record-breaking maiden voyage in 1952 when it crossed the Atlantic in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, an achievement that remains unbeaten.

Over its lifetime, the SS United States hosted notable passengers, including four U.S. presidents and various celebrities, before being retired in 1969.

After spending nearly three decades docked in Philadelphia, the SS United States is now moving into its final chapter as an artificial reef.

References: cruiseindustrynews, nbcnewyork

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