Historic SS United States scuttled off Florida to become world’s largest artificial reef

The 1,000-foot SS United States, launched in 1951 and once the fastest trans-Atlantic passenger liner, was scuttled on Wednesday off the Florida panhandle to serve as an artificial reef. Crews opened hull plugs, allowing the ship to flood and settle on its side about 20 nautical miles from Destin’s beaches.

Okaloosa County tourism director Jennifer Adams said the reef is expected to generate $10 million to $12 million in annual economic benefits, enough to recoup the county’s $10 million investment within a few years. The county has previously sunk hundreds of artificial reefs and plans to add five or six more after the United States.

Wreck diver Karen Flynn, who leads the Maryland-based Atlantic Wreck Divers, expressed enthusiasm for the new dive site. > "We've dove everything that you can around the world. This will just be one more unique, new thing for us to dive," she told NPR. Flynn added that the ship’s upper decks will remain within recreational diving limits.

Susan Gibbs, head of the SS United States Conservancy, described the decision as a mix of sorrow and hope. > "We felt that reefing was by far the more dignified solution," she said, noting that the vessel was sold to the county for $1 million in 2024.

Economist Andrew Ropicki of the University of Florida warned that while the concentration of shipwreck reefs can capture tourism dollars, overinvestment could eventually lead to diminishing returns as visitor interests shift.

The sinking adds the SS United States to Florida’s growing network of artificial reefs, which collectively support marine life and have been linked to nearly a billion dollars in annual tourism revenue nationwide.