Historic SS United States Ocean Liner Becomes World's Largest Artificial Reef

Built in 1952 and decommissioned in 1969, the historic luxury ocean liner SS United States will be scuttled off the coast of Florida to become the world's largest artificial reef.

Carried out in partnership between the SS United States Conservancy and Okaloosa County in Florida, the project is being executed with an investment budget of $13 million. The 990-foot-long giant vessel will be towed approximately 25 miles off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Instead of using explosives, officials plan to open the ship's ballast valves to fill its tanks with water, allowing the vessel to settle upright on the seabed at a depth of approximately 200 feet. The sinking operation is planned to take place on Wednesday.

Northeastern University experts state that the metal hull will provide the necessary hard surface for algae, corals, and fish species such as red snapper and grouper, which can contribute to marine biodiversity in an area with a sandy seabed.

When submerged, the ship's upper funnels are expected to be accessible to divers at a depth of 55 feet, while its keel will rest at a depth of 180 feet. This ship will take over the title of the world's largest artificial reef created from a sunken ship from the USS Oriskany.