Okaloosa County Confirms End of Remediation For Ocean Liner

Okaloosa County recently confirmed that the SS United States is ready to be sunk after the completion of its environmental remediation process.

In a social media update, the county stated that the former ocean liner is now waiting for approval from government agencies.

As part of a project that started in October 2024, the 1952-built vessel is being turned into the world’s largest artificial reef.

A date for the ship’s assisted sinking operation will be set once final approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are granted, Okaloosa County said.

According to the update, the project had a budget of about $13 million, which covered the purchase, towing, deployment and remediation of the SS United States.

The county also mentioned that it will use part of the funds to make a donation to the SS United States Conservancy’s proposed land-based museum.

Originally built to operate in the North Atlantic, the ship will become an artificial reef 22 miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Okaloosa County stated that the deployment of the vessel is expected to have an immense impact on the tourism industry in the region.

“We expect millions of additional dollars to impact the tourism industry. The economic impact will be felt statewide as people from across the world come to dive the ship,” the county explained.

In addition to having the opportunity to dive the former ocean liner, visitors will be able to tour the ship’s museum, financially benefiting a series of businesses, including hotels, restaurants and shops.

“Both commercial, charter and sport anglers will also be able to experience the SS United States since she will attract many of the target species that anglers enjoy catching,” Okaloosa added.

The project also benefits the region’s environment, the county continued, noting that the ship will “create much-needed habitat for the entire marine ecosystem.”

Okaloosa also mentioned that the initiative preserves the history of the ship instead of allowing it to be scrapped, stating that it is working with media companies to create documentaries about it.

The county also noted that its remediation process followed all standards from the regulatory agencies, ensuring a safe deployment.