Northwest Florida Unites to Transform the SS United States Into the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
We have mini-update when it come to the SS United States.
A new regional partnership has taken shape in Northwest Florida as Destin Fort Walton Beach and the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners announced a major collaboration with Visit Pensacola and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida.
Together, these organizations will support the deployment of the SS United States as the world’s largest artificial reef, a move expected to generate long lasting environmental, tourism and economic rewards for the region.
Okaloosa County Commissioners unanimously approved agreements with Visit Pensacola and CCA Florida to formalize their participation.
Visit Pensacola will contribute one point five million dollars to the project while CCA Florida will add five hundred thousand dollars. Visit Pensacola is set to review and finalize its agreement at its December 2025 meeting.
A Regional Alliance With Statewide Impact
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon praised the cooperative effort, noting that the initiative is the result of sustained teamwork and shared vision.
He emphasized that the reef will lay the foundation for new adventures and tourism opportunities, not only in Okaloosa County but across the entire Northwest Florida region.
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A portion of the combined contributions will fund the vessel’s deployment in the Gulf of Mexico. Another portion will be dedicated to a multi-year marketing and tourism campaign designed to promote the SS United States as a premier global diving destination.
A Growing Hub for World-Class Diving
Visit Pensacola President and CEO Darien Schaefer said the collaboration marks a historic moment for the region. Pensacola is already home to the USS Oriskany, which has been a major draw for divers from around the world. The addition of the SS United States will further elevate Northwest Florida as a top tier destination for marine exploration.
Schaefer added that transforming the legendary ocean liner into the largest artificial reef will bring significant environmental value to the Gulf while creating far reaching economic opportunities for local communities. He emphasized that the partnership reflects what the region can achieve when it works with shared purpose.
Environmental Stewardship and Marine Habitat Restoration
CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski highlighted the environmental significance of the project. The organization has a long history of working with Okaloosa County on reef construction and redfish stock enhancement.
According to Gorski, the SS United States initiative demonstrates how public and nonprofit partners can work together to support marine conservation, tourism and community wellbeing.
Gorski noted that CCA Florida’s five hundred thousand dollar contribution is the largest single donation in the organization’s forty year history. He called the project a once in a lifetime opportunity to help create a habitat that will benefit the Gulf’s ecosystem for generations.
A New Life for a Maritime Legend
The SS United States, a nine hundred ninety foot ocean liner, remains one of the most iconic vessels in American maritime history.
She still holds the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner, a record she has maintained for decades. After years of uncertainty regarding her future, the ship is now poised to become a unique ecological landmark.
The vessel is currently docked in Mobile, Alabama where she is undergoing inspections following extensive remediation to ensure an environmentally safe deployment. Plans call for the ship to be placed on the Gulf floor in early 2026 approximately twenty two nautical miles southwest of the Destin East Pass and thirty two nautical miles southeast of the Pensacola Pass.
Tourism, Conservation, and Community Benefits
Once deployed, the SS United States will provide essential habitat for marine life and become an anchor attraction for divers, conservationists and travelers worldwide. County officials say the project will bolster the regional economy by drawing visitors, creating new business opportunities and expanding Northwest Florida’s profile in the global tourism landscape.
The reef is also expected to inspire a sense of stewardship by connecting visitors and residents to the Gulf’s natural environment through education, exploration and conservation initiatives.
The Wildwood Video Archive filmed her final voyage this past year. Watch it below.