Home · World · Nov 11 archive

SS United States Becomes World's Largest Artificial Reef

2:09 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

World Desk

In Short: The SS United States, once the world's fastest ocean liner, began its transformation into the world's largest artificial reef Wednesday off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

LIVE: The SS United States becomes world's largest artificial reef. WWLTV

The SS United States, once the world's fastest ocean liner, began its transformation into the world's largest artificial reef Wednesday off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

After decades of retirement and failed restoration attempts, Okaloosa County purchased the vessel in 2024, preparing it for its new role as an artificial reef.

Okaloosa County officials have promoted the project as both an economic development opportunity and an environmental asset, promising it will become a major diving attraction and marine habitat.

The SS United States still holds the trans-Atlantic speed record for an ocean liner and will now serve as a habitat for marine life.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the 990-foot vessel is being deliberately sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast, where it will start a new life beneath the water as the world’s largest artificial reef.

What's confirmed

• Once the fastest ocean liner in the world, the SS United States begins a new voyage Wednesday off the Panhandle as an artificial reef.
• The vessel spent nearly three decades docked along Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront before departing last year for Alabama, where crews have been preparing it for its next role as an artificial reef.
• The SS United States, launched in 1952, still holds the trans-Atlantic speed record for an ocean liner.

What's still developing

• Explore more of her history and how you can dive the SS United States here.
• The SS United States has been undergoing remediation since it was towed from Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront last year The SS United States was christened in 1952 Sass Jordan cause of death: How did ‘Racine’ singer die after cancelling shows over ‘serious medical condition’?
• Here is everything you need to know about watching the SS United States sinking.
• In the federal criminal complaint released on Friday, titled United States of America vs. Thomas Wayne Markle, it was revealed that two witnesses contributed to the case against him.
• The complaint, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, alleges the Department of Homeland Security has obtained voter files from at least 47 states and handled the data in a way that violates federal law.
• Florida voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov.
• Florida voters on Tuesday approved one of the largest property tax cuts in the state's history, while Virginians wrote a right to abortion into their constitution and Missouri voters turned back a Republican-led effort to repeal the abortion protections they adopted two years ago.
• Early voting has surged in the 2026 United States midterm elections with more than 50 million Americans casting their ballots as of Sunday, according to an analysis by the University of Florida.

Sources

• 1290 WJNOlink
• 6abc Philadelphialink
• NBC10 Philadelphialink
• PBSlink
• SlashGearlink
• Tampa Bay Timeslink
• The Economic Timeslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• The Sunday Guardianlink
• Wildwood Video Archivelink
• Theqgentlemanlink
• Aollink
• Fox Businesslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• Fox Newslink
• Fox13Newslink
• WWLTV — video link
• FOX 29 Philadelphia — video link
• The National Desk — video link
• FOX 2 Detroit — video link
• Associated Press — video link
• WWMT-TV — video link