A historic ocean liner is a step closer to becoming the world’s largest artificial reef.
Officials in Florida’s Okaloosa County expect to sink the SS United States off the Gulf Coast during the second week of November. The exact dates could change because of weather.
Related previous coverage in the video player above: Historic SS United States spotted off south Florida coast in February 2025
The ship will be sunk about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin.
“This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry,” county officials wrote in a news release.
Hulton Archive
The new United States liner SS United States, winner of the Blue Riband for 1952 with a transatlantic crossing speed of 41 mph. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The nearly 1,000-foot vessel shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952.
John Chillingworth
The new United States liner SS United States, winner of the Blue Riband for 1952 with a transatlantic crossing speed of 41 mph, arrives at Le Havre. Original Publication: Picture Post – 5969 – The New First Lady – pub. 1952 (Photo by John Chillingworth/Getty Images)
Preservation groups tried to save the ship but were hindered by high costs.
JEWEL SAMAD
Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy, poses aboard the retired passenger liner at a dock in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 2015. Larger than Titanic and once saved from the scrap heap, the rusting ship is again nearing being sold off to metal recyclers as the SS United States Conservancy struggles to raise the 60,000 a month for docking and maintaining the ship. The SS United States still holds the east- and west-bound transatlantic crossing records. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters hope that sinking the ship will make it a barnacle-encrusted star among more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction, helping to generate millions of dollars a year in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels.
JEWEL SAMAD
Retired passenger liner SS United States is pictured at a dock in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 2015. Larger than Titanic and once saved from the scrap heap, the rusting ship is again nearing being sold off to metal recyclers as the SS United States Conservancy struggles to raise the 60,000 a month for docking and maintaining the ship. The SS United States still holds the east- and west-bound transatlantic crossing records. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
