Deal to Sell Historic SS United States Hits a Snag

The anticipated $1 million sale of the SS United States, a historic ocean liner, to Okaloosa County, Florida, has encountered a significant setback, sending all parties back to the negotiating table as a crucial deadline looms.

The SS United States Conservancy, which oversees the preservation of the vessel, is under intense pressure to secure a new location for the iconic ship. A federal court has mandated that the ship must be relocated from its current berth in Philadelphia by September 12th, leaving little time to resolve the current issues.

The deal hit a snag when Okaloosa County faced complications with Penn Warehousing, the dock landlord, jeopardizing the county’s plans to acquire the 1,000-foot liner.

Initially, the county had planned to vote this week on a proposal to repurpose the ship as an artificial reef off the Gulf Coast. However, due to these unexpected complications, the future of the project is now uncertain.

Nick Tomecek, a spokesperson for Okaloosa County spoke with Axios and stated that the county has been forced to revisit its agreement with the SS United States Conservancy.

The original timeline allowed until October 4th to finalize towing arrangements with Penn Warehousing, but with negotiations now in flux, it’s unclear if a resolution will be reached before the county board’s next meeting on September 17th.

Despite the setback, Tomecek emphasized that the county is working diligently with the Conservancy to salvage the deal however, whether these efforts will be successful remains to be seen, as neither the Conservancy nor Penn Warehousing has provided additional comments on the matter.

Mark Perry, treasurer of the SS United States Conservancy, had stated last week that while negotiations with Okaloosa County have been progressing positively, the Conservancy cannot comment further until the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners reviews the contingent contract.

n addition to the artificial reef plan, a land-based museum is envisioned to honor the ship’s storied history. Launched in 1952, the SS United States still holds the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner.

However, the ship’s future became uncertain after a federal judge ruled on June 14, 2024, that it must vacate its Philadelphia berth within 90 days.

Okaloosa County has identified three potential sites within 25 miles of shore that could be the ship’s final resting place.

Also See: SS United States Drone Footage

These locations, designated as Large Area Artificial Reef Sites A, B, and C, meet the necessary depth and clearance requirements, making them suitable for divers of all skill levels. The county has allocated $1 million to purchase the ship, with additional funds set aside for other essential expenses related to the project.

As the deadline approaches, the fate of the SS United States hangs in the balance, with all involved parties striving to find a solution that preserves this invaluable piece of American maritime history.

We visited the SS United States to document the inside of the ship. You can watch that video below.

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