# Okaloosa County to Sink SS United States Off Florida as Largest Artificial Reef

- Published: 2026-11-09 16:49 UTC
- Section: Planet › Ocean & water
- Tags: SS United States, artificial reef, controlled sinking, Okaloosa County, Florida liner, Mobile Alabama shipyard, Pensacola Destin, transatlantic liner, SS United States Conservancy
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-8da8c5edecd12e18c9cd105d_okaloosa_county_to/

**The 1952 liner SS United States is scheduled to be sunk more than 35 km off Florida, between Pensacola and Destin, to form an artificial reef.**

![Okaloosa County to Sink SS United States Off Florida as Largest Artificial Reef](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/8759ce27150d8e93.webp)
*ua.news*

The transatlantic liner SS United States is scheduled to be deliberately sunk off the coast of Florida in the coming days, ua.news reports, citing RMF24. According to the plan, it will become the world's largest artificial reef created through controlled sinking. [1] Okaloosa County, Florida, bought the ship for $1 million. [1]

## Preparation and location

Another $13 million was allocated to prepare the vessel for sinking and to remove hazardous materials. [1] The liner was towed to a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where the work was carried out. [1]

If the operation goes as planned, the hull will rest more than 35 km off the Florida coast, between Pensacola and Destin. [1] The ship's two distinctive funnels are to be transferred to a planned museum dedicated to its history. [1]

## History of the liner

SS United States entered service in 1952. On its maiden voyage it reached a speed of about 70 km/h and set an Atlantic crossing record that, according to the publication, has not been surpassed. [1] In nearly two decades of service the ship carried four U.S. presidents, numerous celebrities and tens of thousands of passengers. [1]

In 1969 the vessel was withdrawn from service amid the development of jet aviation, after which it stood in Philadelphia for almost 30 years. [1] Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, called the liner an American symbol that brings people together. [1]

## Sources

1. [ua.news](https://ua.news/en/dovkolo-svitu/u-floridi-zatopliat-ss-united-states-dlia-stvorennia-shtuchnogo-rifu-rmf24)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-8da8c5edecd12e18c9cd105d_okaloosa_county_to/