SS United States Update as Remediation is Completed
As promised, we are keeping you updated on the SS United States, which used to call Philly home.
The future of the historic SS United States is moving one step closer to reality as officials confirmed that environmental remediation work on the ship has now been completed.
SS United States Update as Remediation is Completed
The legendary ocean liner, which departed Philadelphia in February 2025 after nearly three decades docked along the Delaware River, remains in Mobile, Alabama while awaiting final approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency before being deployed as what officials are calling the world’s largest artificial reef.
According to a newly released update from Okaloosa County’s Facebook page, the ship’s transformation project has now entered its final regulatory phase. Photos released in May 2026 show the SS United States still docked in Mobile following months of remediation work that began shortly after the vessel arrived there on March 3, 2025.
The timeline for the project stretches back to October 1, 2024, when the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners officially approved the purchase of the SS United States to create an artificial reef. Just days later, county officials and the SS United States Conservancy held a signing ceremony aboard the ship.
The liner then departed Philadelphia on February 19, 2025, marking the end of an era for the historic vessel on the Delaware River waterfront.
The overall project is expected to cost around $13 million, covering the purchase, towing, remediation, deployment, and contributions toward a land-based museum dedicated to preserving the ship’s history.
Officials say the project has attracted support from numerous tourism, conservation, and marine organizations, including Visit Pensacola, Yamaha Rightwaters, the Coastal Conservation Association, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Diver’s Alert Network.
Okaloosa County officials believe the reef project could generate millions of dollars in tourism revenue once the ship is sunk in the Gulf. The county says divers from around the world are expected to travel to see the massive reef structure, while anglers could also benefit from the marine life the ship is expected to attract, including grouper, snapper, tuna, mahi mahi, marlin, and sea turtles.
Officials also addressed environmental concerns tied to sinking the vessel, stating that the county has followed all EPA and MARAD best management practices for preparing ships intended for artificial reefs.
The county says the remediation process was conducted under strict federal guidance and permitting standards to ensure the vessel becomes a benefit to the marine ecosystem rather than a hazard.
While no deployment date has been announced yet, the completion of remediation marks one of the biggest milestones so far in the ship’s controversial and closely watched transformation.
The Wildwood Video Archive filmed the last full tour of the ship while she was in Philadelphia, you can watch that video down below (and please subscribe)