The SS United States Liner Poised to Become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef

The rebirth of an iconic liner

Some organizations considered demolishing the SS United States, but the SS United States Conservancy, responsible for preserving the ship, opted for an environmentally friendly alternative.

On Tuesday October 1, 2024, it was therefore decided in a conditional contract that the liner would be sunk off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida, which would make it the largest artificial reef in the region.

The latter will join the long list of 500 already existing reefs. This project is possible thanks to the budget of more than $10 million approved on September 24, 2024.

This sum includes the purchase of the ship for one million, its rehabilitation and towing for 7.2 million, as well as the creation of a land museum dedicated to its history.

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A new attraction for tourist divers

To transport the ship, an agreement was signed between the county of Florida, the liner preservation association and the city of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. It was therefore decided that this ship would be submerged not far from this city. This would make it possible to offer a new attraction to diving and fishing enthusiasts, but above all to tourists.

The president of the SS United States Conservancy, Susan Gibbs, expressed her joy to the New York Times, “ if the ship were to be transformed into an artificial reef, it would become a historic and unique attraction, both above and below the waterline”. As a reminder, the SS United States is the holder of the transatlantic crossing speed record, this decision would make it an underwater monument accessible to all, allowing it to preserve its heritage and contribute to the marine ecosystem.

A liner synonymous with legend of the seas

Built in 1952, the SS United States is the largest ocean liner ever designed in the United States. In fact, it measures 30 meters longer than the Titanic, which gives it a total length of 275 meters. But its legendary side also comes from the fact that when it was still in service, it would have transported political figures such as presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and John Kennedy, but also emblematic personalities of popular culture such as Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe or even Walt Disney.

After a successful career, in 1969 the liner was retired and since 1996, it has been moored in a port in Philadelphia. But due to lack of resources, its preservation was stopped, and legal proceedings were therefore launched to find a new solution for its future.

Reason why last summer, the federal court ordered the removal of the liner from its dock, a cause which would have accelerated this decision.

Sources : LeFigaro, NewYorkTimes, USA Today

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