The historic SS United States, once America’s flagship ocean liner, was set to embark on its final journey to the Gulf of Mexico, where it would be sunk and repurposed as an artificial reef. However, unexpected hurdles have delayed the move, including concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard and environmental complications. The ship, which shattered the transatlantic speed record in 1952, was scheduled to depart from Philadelphia late last year. However, the Coast Guard issued a Captain of the Port Order in November, preventing its movement due to concerns about structural stability, compromised tanks, and oily residue. As a result, the ship remains docked in Philadelphia with no definitive timeline for departure.
Okaloosa County, Florida, which acquired the SS United States in 2024, has proactively addressed the Coast Guard’s concerns. A naval architect was hired to conduct stability tests, which were approved on January 8. The next steps include finalizing a towing plan and assessing tidal conditions to ensure a safe passage to Mobile, Alabama, where the vessel will be prepped for its sinking. “This is a large project that requires multiple steps to guarantee a safe move,” said Nick Tomecek, public information officer for Okaloosa County. While an exact timeline has yet to be established, county officials anticipate the ship’s final journey will occur by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
For decades, conservationists sought to preserve or repurpose the SS United States, but legal battles and logistical challenges made permanent docking difficult. In 2024, the ship was evicted from its Philadelphia pier, prompting Okaloosa County to purchase it with the intent of transforming it into an artificial reef. Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs, reflected on the difficult decision. “We worked tirelessly to find an alternative solution, but the reality is that her massive size made it extremely challenging,” she said. Although sinking the ship was not the Conservancy’s preferred option, it was seen as the best way to prevent it from being scrapped entirely.
Initially set for departure in November 2024, the move was first delayed due to adverse weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Shortly after, the Coast Guard’s order further postponed the process. By December 14, Okaloosa County was required to pay a one-time penalty of $100,000 for missing the initial relocation deadline. Despite these setbacks, officials remain hopeful that progress will continue and the ship will be relocated in the coming months. Once it arrives in Mobile, Alabama, the SS United States will be stripped and prepared for its submersion approximately 20 miles off the coast of Destin, Florida. The site, approximately 180 feet underwater, is expected to become a thriving marine habitat for fish and coral.
Okaloosa County has extensive experience in artificial reef development, having sunk 14 vessels over the past four years. “This project will enhance fisheries, attract divers, and boost the local economy,” said Jennifer Adams from the county’s tourism department. Marine biologists and divers will oversee the sinking to ensure the ship settles safely on the ocean floor, where it is expected to foster marine life within weeks.
The impending loss of the SS United States has drawn crowds to Philadelphia, where visitors have gathered to pay tribute. “I’m heartbroken,” said New Yorker John Sabatos, who traveled with his mother to see the ship one last time. Others left farewell messages along the fencing near the dock, expressing gratitude for the ship’s storied past. While its fate is sealed, the ship’s legacy will live on. A planned museum in Florida will commemorate its history, and the ship itself will remain a part of the ocean ecosystem. “It will be hard to say goodbye,” admitted Gibbs. “But I will bid her farewell and accompany her on this final voyage.” For now, the SS United States remains docked in Philadelphia, awaiting the final approval needed to set sail on its last journey. Whether the move occurs later this year or early in 2026, one thing is certain—this iconic vessel’s story is far from over.
