Plans Underway to Transform SS United States into Artificial Reef

The SS United States has officially been transferred to Okaloosa County, Florida, where plans are underway to transform the historic ocean liner into an artificial reef. Following a court-ordered settlement, the ship will depart Philadelphia for reefing preparations. A land-based museum and visitor center will also be created to preserve the vessel’s legacy and artifacts.

Title Transferred: SS United States Set to Become an Artificial Reef

The SS United States Conservancy has officially transferred the title of the historic ocean liner to Okaloosa County, Florida, marking a significant step toward transforming the iconic ship into an artificial reef. Preparations for the move are already underway, according to a press release from the non-profit organization.

This transfer follows a court-ordered mediation settlement after years of litigation involving Penn Warehousing, the company managing the pier where the SS United States has been docked in Philadelphia since its retirement. As part of the agreement, the county will begin converting the 1952-built liner into an artificial reef, ending the long legal battle and moving the ship from its current berth.

The litigation began when Penn Warehousing filed a lawsuit in early 2022, which led to an eviction notice requiring the ship to vacate the pier by mid-September 2023. Despite extensive efforts by the Conservancy to secure a new home for the ship—including outreach to private pier owners, government officials, and agencies—the organization was unable to find a suitable location within the court’s timeline.

“After exhausting all possible options, we were left with no alternative but to either scrap the vessel or move forward with plans to create an artificial reef and land-based museum,” the Conservancy explained.

Okaloosa County has allocated over $10 million to the project and will soon begin preparations to sink the ship off the coast of Florida. Before its final journey, the SS United States will be towed to Norfolk for extensive work to ready it for its new life underwater.

As part of the agreement, the county will also support the creation of a land-based museum and visitor center. This facility will feature cutting-edge technology to provide an immersive experience for visitors, showcasing the rich history of the SS United States. The museum will house the Conservancy’s collection of original artifacts, artwork, and even one of the ship’s iconic funnels. Plans include recreating some of the liner’s historic spaces using original materials.

The transfer marks the beginning of a new chapter for the SS United States, preserving its legacy both beneath the waves and on land for future generations.