Florida to sink yet another massive ship into ocean to boost local tourism

Officials in the US state of Florida are preparing to create what will become the world’s largest artificial coastal reef by sinking a massive ocean liner to the sea floor.

The historic SS United States will be transported early next year to its final resting place in Okaloosa County, according to Caliber.Az, citing ABC News.

The nearly 305-meter vessel—famous for breaking the trans-Atlantic speed record during its 1952 maiden voyage—has spent most of this year at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, where it has been stripped of chemicals, wiring, plastic, and glass.

Once positioned, the SS United States will rest at a depth of about 55 meters. Its height means the top decks will lie roughly 18 meters below the surface, making it an appealing site for both novice and experienced divers. The reef will also sit approximately 12 to 22 kilometres from the USS Oriskany, another major diving attraction that was intentionally sunk in 2006.

The chosen site results from an agreement involving Pensacola tourism officials—who are contributing $1.5 million—and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida, which is providing an additional $500,000. Two alternative sites had been under consideration, including one farther east near Panama City Beach.

The SS United States will become part of Okaloosa County’s network of more than 500 artificial reefs, which includes around a dozen smaller shipwrecks.

“This collaboration will foster amazing adventures for generations of visitors and create a tourism economy that will benefit the state and the entire Northwest Florida region,” the publication quotes Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon.

By Nazrin Sadigova