Summary: Okaloosa County will sink the SS United States off Destin-Fort Walton Beach this April, converting the 1952 ocean liner into a large artificial reef to support marine life, fishing and eco-tourism after an extensive decontamination process.

Okaloosa County plans to sink the SS United States to create an artificial reef roughly 22 miles off Destin-Fort Walton Beach this April. The move will repurpose the famed 1952 ocean liner into a submerged habitat intended to boost biodiversity, support the local fishing sector and attract divers and eco-tourists.

From Transatlantic Icon to Underwater Sanctuary

When she launched in 1952, the SS United States was celebrated for her speed, luxury and American engineering. She held the record as the fastest transatlantic passenger liner for decades before being retired in 1969. After many proposals to restore or repurpose the vessel failed, Okaloosa County acquired the ship in 2023 and opted to give it a new role beneath the waves.

Careful Environmental Preparation

Officials have emphasised that the sinking is being handled to minimise ecological risk. The ship underwent an extensive decontamination process to remove hazardous materials before it is scuttled.

  • More than 200 tanks of oil and fuel were extracted from the vessel
  • Non-metal components were removed to reduce pollution risk
  • Structural elements such as the two funnels and the main mast were detached for preservation

The funnels and main mast will be conserved and displayed in a museum, providing a tangible tribute to the ship’s history while ensuring the remainder of the hull is safe for marine deployment.

An Engineered Habitat for Gulf Marine Life

Once placed on the seafloor, the SS United States will act as a large artificial structure where coral, fish and other species can establish new communities. Its size and placement in the Gulf of Mexico make it well suited to function as an ecological refuge and to diversify local underwater habitats.

Historic SS United States prepared for transformation into an artificial reef off the Gulf Coast
The SS United States will be sunk 22 miles off Destin-Fort Walton Beach to form a new artificial reef and dive site

Economic and Recreational Benefits

  • Boost to eco-tourism: new dive site for recreational divers and marine enthusiasts
  • Support for local fisheries: additional structure to concentrate fish populations
  • Heritage preservation: parts of the ship retained for museum display

Okaloosa County expects the reef to draw divers, anglers and visitors interested in marine conservation, while simultaneously creating a living monument to the liner’s past.

Public reactions have varied: some preferred a dry preservation as a museum or dockside attraction, but county officials maintain that submerging the vessel offers an enduring environmental and community benefit. The sinking operation will be livestreamed on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach YouTube channel so viewers worldwide can watch the final deployment.

Final inspections and weather conditions will determine the exact timing of the operation. Once deployed, the SS United States will rest on the ocean floor and begin its role as a habitat-supporting feature of the Gulf Coast ecosystem.

Why This Matters to Travelers and the Industry

So what? The conversion of the SS United States into a large artificial reef creates a distinctive new attraction for divers and eco-tourists visiting the Florida Gulf Coast, potentially increasing visitation to Destin-Fort Walton Beach and supporting businesses tied to marine recreation. For conservation-minded travellers, it also represents a model of how historic maritime assets can be repurposed to deliver ecological and economic value.