Okaloosa County Faces Challenges with SS United States

The Okaloosa County Commission recently approved the purchase of the historic ocean liner SS United States, utilizing $1 million from tourist development funds.

This decision followed a failed bid from another county and included a $9 million allocation for transportation and environmental services necessary to prepare the vessel for its intended use, meaning that this plan is going to cost Okaloosa County $10 million.

The plan involved relocating the ship from its current berth at Pier 82 in Philadelphia to a mooring site in Mobile, Alabama, initially scheduled for November 14.

However, this timeline was delayed when the U.S. Coast Guard conducted an inspection and identified significant concerns regarding the ship’s stability and structural integrity.

During a follow-up assessment, additional issues, including a compromised tank and the presence of oily residue, further complicated the relocation process.

Under the purchase agreement, the SS United States was required to vacate Pier 82 by December 12. The delay has led to financial repercussions for the county, including a one-time penalty of $100,000 and daily rental fees of $3,400.

Proposal to Sink SS United States as Artificial Reef Under Review

Since the agreement was signed, a total of $1.39 million in tourism tax funds has been spent on the ship, encompassing the purchase price, penalties, and rental costs.

The county also could face additional potential fines if the ship is moved without meeting the Coast Guard’s stringent requirements.

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These stipulations include submitting a detailed structural and stability assessment, a plan to address any hull compromises, a comprehensive towing plan, and the relocation of unsecured oil to sealed containers to mitigate pollution risks.

SS United States To Be Sunk Off Florida Panhandle

Tugboats with sufficient horsepower must also be approved to safely move the vessel. The county hopes to have their final plans together by Christmas and to have the ship moved by the mid-end of January.

Despite the financial strain and logistical hurdles, the county has continued to allocate funds from its tourism tax budget to cover these expenses.

Public reaction to the project has been mixed, with some residents expressing concerns about the expenditure of tourism dollars on the ship instead of other priorities such as infrastructure or public beach access.

In an article posted by the Northwest Florida Daily News which sources a University of Florida, every dollar invested in artificial reefs generates a $7 boost to the local economy but many don’t see how that could help their businesses on-land.

The county says that since this project is coming from tourism dollars, it can’t be used for infrastructure and that this reef could bring thousands to the area since it would be the largest of its kind in the world.

Okaloosa County is betting big on the SS United States project, hoping it will bring thousands of tourists to the area and boost the local economy.

But with mounting costs, strict Coast Guard requirements, and a tight timeline, the county has a lot to figure out before this plan can succeed.