SS United States sunk to become world’s largest artificial reef, attracting divers

The 990-foot SS United States was submerged today in the Gulf of Mexico after being carefully flooded with seawater, positioning the ship upright at a depth of about 180-200 feet. The sinking creates the world’s largest artificial reef, joining the USS Oriskany as a major dive site.

Savanna Christy, owner and instructor at ScubaTech in Destin, said the wreck is expected to become very popular among divers. "We anticipate the SS United States is going to be super popular," she said. Christy, a 22-year-old diver, added that the appeal lies in the opportunity to experience marine life and the unique history of the vessel.

Okaloosa County tourism director Jennifer Adams highlighted the region’s clear waters and existing shipwreck trail, noting that the new reef will expand the trail and offer divers a range of depths. "We’ve been growing our artificial reef program for the past five years," Adams said, adding that many divers prefer shallower dives of 40-50 feet, while the ship’s upper decks will be accessible at 55-60 feet.

The wreck is expected to attract a variety of marine species, including snappers, groupers, amberjack, sharks, turtles and reef fish, according to Christy. Alex Fogg, Okaloosa County’s chief of natural resources, explained that while the top decks are suitable for Open Water Diver-certified participants, deeper sections and interior penetration will require advanced training and supervision.

Divers are reminded to follow the “take only photos, leave only bubbles” code and Florida law, which penalizes removal of objects from shipwrecks. Christy emphasized that the project left no removable artifacts on the vessel.

The sink adds to a network of nine shipwrecks within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, allowing divers to potentially visit multiple sites in a single trip.