Latest news with #NickTomecek
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$3 million for a sinking ship? Bay County TDC wants SS United States sunk closer to its coast
PANAMA CITY BEACH ― The Bay County Tourist Development Council has come to the bargaining table on the fate of a historic cruise liner. The council unanimously agreed to offer $3 million to Okaloosa County to sink the SS United States closer to Panama City. Sinking the ship will create the world's largest artificial reef, and the TDC wants a slice of the visitors that will come to see it. At Tuesday's meeting, representatives of local diving companies urged the council to make the move in a bid to keep the county's dive scene competitive. "Panama City Dive Center was thrilled to witness history being made by the Bay County TDC in their vote to bring the World's Largest Artificial Reef within reach for Bay County diving and fishing operations," said Ashley Barrow from the Panama City Dive Center. "Access to this wreck will help PCB regain its status as a premier dive location while bringing in a demographic of tourists who respect the natural environment, which helps to maintain the beauty of our area." While too soon to tell, it appears Okaloosa County is entertaining the idea. Okaloosa County Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek chimed in on the matter while talking to a reporter from Northwest Florida Daily News (which is, like the News Herald, a part of the USA TODAY Network-Florida). He acknowledged the excitement and offers from surrounding counties. "It's exciting and is evidence that Northwest Florida tourism, businesses, dive shops and fishing industry are all supportive of this remarkable effort from our tourism department," Tomecek said. "And it's something that's going to benefit, not just Destin-Fort Walton Beach, it's going to benefit the entire Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida and the tourism community worldwide." If Okaloosa County agrees to the deal, the ship will be 20 miles closer to the St Andrews pass. Currently, the furthest proposed site is 55 nautical miles from Panama City, and the closest is 35. The $3 million would be earmarked to help with marketing and sinking the vessel. The ship is slated to sit 180 feet underwater, however, other outlets reported that it's so large that people who can only dive to less than half that height will still be able to access it. It's more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic and has five more decks. "Since the vessel's launch over 70 years ago, she has served as an enduring, iconic symbol of American innovation and engineering might," the SS United States Conservancy says on its website. "She is the only ship to bear the name of her namesake nation." The Conservancy's website says the vessel is nearly as long as the Chrysler Building in New York City is tall. Currently, the SS United States is sitting in Mobile, Alabama, awaiting its final voyage to its new home. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Tourism agency offers $3M to sink SS United States closer to Bay County
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. 2025 Wharf Boat, Yacht Show scheduled 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. Largest meat processing plant, retail market in Alabama opens in Atmore '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. Case of 2 accused of throwing dogs over Mobile's Dog River Bridge sent to grand jury '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.
