SS United States relocation to Mobile delayed amid safety concerns
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The planned relocation of the SS United States from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, is facing delays due to additional safety checks requested by the United States Coast Guard.
The historic vessel's transformation into the world's largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is now postponed, with no new departure date set.
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Initially slated for Feb. 8, the move requires further Coast Guard approvals to ensure a safe tow from Pier 82 to Pier 80, which complicates the timeline.
'We have gotten authorization from the Coast Guard and approvals to move her at 4 a.m. on Saturday,' Okaloosa County Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek said. 'That's weather contingent and also dependent on visibility that day. That may change.'
The SS United States is destined for a significant transformation into an artificial reef, aiming to enhance the marine ecosystem and boost local tourism. This project involves extensive environmental remediation to remove hazardous materials and ensure the vessel does not harm the marine environment.
Once relocated to Mobile, the ship will undergo a nine-to-12-month preparation period where nonenvironmentally friendly materials, including fuel and wires, will be removed.
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'While she's in Mobile, we'll be taking all the non-environmentally friendly stuff out of it, including fuel, wires, that sort of thing,' Tomecek explained.
The vessel's movement is a spectacle in itself expected to take two weeks as it travels up Mobile Bay and into the Mobile River. Safety measures are a priority, with rigorous coordination among multiple agencies to ensure a smooth transition.
'Safety is No. 1…,' Tomecek emphasized. 'Our contractors make sure we have two good captains that are on that.'
The SS United States' transformation is not just about creating an artificial reef; it's also about continuing the legacy of a ship that has sparked passion and interest in maritime history and environmental conservation.
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'It's going to benefit the marine species, the divers, the fishing industry,' Tomecek noted, highlighting the broad impacts of the project.
Okaloosa County remains committed to this project's success, promising to keep the public informed and engaged as they work towards a new departure schedule for the SS United States.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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