The iconic, 990-foot SS United States’ owners in Okaloosa County has unveiled a tentative new timeline for its sinking, writes Ximena Conde for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The historic ocean liner is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef at the bottom of the Florida Panhandle coast.
According to the tentative new timeline, it could happen as soon as March 2026.
During this plan being in the works for well over a year, many ship enthusiasts have continued advocating for saving and restoring the SS United States back to its former glory.
However, Okaloosa County tourism officials have reported that about 80 percent of the remediation work required to meet state and federal requirements to sink the ship has been completed.
Nonetheless, the New York Coalition to Save the United States is urging New York City Council to intervene in the mean time.
NYC Councilmember Gale A. Brewer introduced a resolution calling on Congress to pass legislation allocating restoration funds to bring the SS United States to Gowanus Bay Terminal in New York City.
Okaloosa County, however, has every intention of going through with it plans.
“We purchased the vessel specifically to become the world’s largest artificial reef,” said county spokesperson Nick Tomecek. “Anybody that thinks otherwise, that’s just pipe dreams.”
Read more about Okaloosa County’s plans for the SS United States in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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