Okaloosa County’s Tourist Development Department has commenced moving the SS United States from Philadelphia, with operations beginning on February 6, 2025, at Pier 82.
The ship is expected to leave Philadelphia on February 8, 2025, escorted by tugboats down the Delaware River and will be moved to Mobile, Alabama, where it will become an artificial reef.
Preparation for the ship to become the world’s largest artificial reef involves removing hazardous materials and ensuring it lands upright underwater, taking about 12 months in total.
The exact deployment location is not yet determined but will be approximately 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, benefiting the local marine ecosystem and providing new fishing and diving opportunities.
Okaloosa County shared: “As the World’s Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SS United States will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features.”
