The SS United States‘ deployment to Okaloosa County to later be sunk and become the world’s largest artificial reef is being delayed from May to June 2026, writes Claire O’Neil for WEAR News.
The historic ship is currently undergoing final preparations before it goes on its journey from Mobile, Alabama to the Florida Coast.
According to Deputy County administrator Craig Coffey, they are also going through federal processes.
Once those processes are complete, the ship will be deployed within 30 to 60 days after.
In becoming an artificial reef, the plan is to compete with the USS Oriskany Reef in the southeast of the Pensacola Pass.
“If you can mine that with Oriskany next door, they are going to be about 12 miles apart,” said Coffey. “Currently Oriskany holds the largest artificial reef title — we are going to take that title, and to add two of those in the Panhandle is tremendous.”
The SS United States’ location will be 22 miles outside of the Okaloosa Pass to the southwest.
Read more about the SS United States’ deployment delay and plans for its future at WEAR News.
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