Latest news with #SSUS
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kalady Sanskrit University staff's journey from fitness to arangettam
A desire to keep their bodies fit and flexible as old age beckoned saw Betty Varghese, Sunitha Rani, Manju, and Sheeja George — four non-teaching staff of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) at Kalady — practice Bharatanatyam. An arangettam (debut) performance soon followed on the university campus, further cementing their journey as classical dancers. 'None of us has a classical dance background,' Betty, a 53-year-old engineer with the university, reflects. However, she wanted to take up an exercise regime to ensure she remained agile and flexible, in addition to, of course, losing weight. 'When I shared my thoughts with Sushma, a final year Mohiniyattam student, she suggested dancing as a remedy. Well, that was the start,' Betty says. As for Sheeja George, an assistant with the painting department of the university, never in her wildest dreams had she thought she'd learn classical dance or perform on stage. 'For me, the buck stopped with Zumba,' Sheeja says. But what got her learning Bharatanatyam? 'Everything for me and the other three began when we started practising the steps for Thiruvathira, which was to be performed for the university's Onam celebrations. Since we didn't have a dance background, we found it difficult to pick up the steps,' Sheeja adds. So, when they discussed it with their colleagues, one of them suggested seeking help from the students of the Dance Department. 'That's how we got in contact with the Mohiniyattom student Sushama,' says Sheeja. The three began taking dance tuitions from Sushama after working hours from 5pm to 6pm. Betty also joined in and the quorum was complete. 'The initial days were tough for us,' says Betty. With no exercise, their bodies were rigid and Bharatanatyam not only requires flexibility but also stamina by the truck-load. 'It was tough doing the 'Araimandi'. So you can imagine how tough it would have been for us to do the muzhumandi. But after a year and a half of practice and performances, I can do Araimandi easily,' Betty adds. She was also able to reduce her weight. 'Besides the weight loss and flexibility that we have achieved, the most important gift that dance has given is mental happiness. Dance is a true stress-buster,' agree Betty and Sheeja. But why Bharatanatayam? 'The dance, unlike Mohiniyattam, has vigorous movements and steps. Since our main agenda was exercise we opted to go with this dance form. Now, we will be continuing our dance classes and would love to perform on stage if chances present themselves,' says Sreeja, who is 52. Betty and others point out that they have gained the confidence to perform on stage. The Bharatanatyam Arangettam, something that has never happened in a university until now, has got other staff in the university keen to join the dance classes as well.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic ship embarks on final voyage to become world's largest artificial reef: 'An emotional maritime moment'
An ocean liner that holds the transatlantic speed record and once carried movie stars and presidents across the sea is about to embark on a new voyage — at the bottom of the ocean. The SS United States, long celebrated as America's flagship, will soon be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef, according to Nice News. The ship had long been out of use and was under a court eviction order, putting it in the crosshairs of being scrapped. Instead, the historic vessel will be carefully prepared and sunk off the coast of Florida, becoming a permanent home for marine life and an intriguing destination for divers and researchers. "This is an emotional maritime moment," Capt. Joseph Farrell, a ship-sinking and reef expert, told NBC Philadelphia. "The SS United States is a testament to America's might and engineering ingenuity. Her sinking is the final chapter for the last all-American-made, America-flagged ocean liner." And it's easy to understand the nostalgia. The ship, which is over 100 feet longer than the Titanic, set off on its maiden voyage in 1952 and once carried John F. Kennedy, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe as an iconic symbol of Americana. Its next journey may just be the most meaningful yet. The SS United States Conservancy has long been working to protect the ship's legacy, and former President Bill Clinton called it "a symbol of our country's industry and accomplishment." However, attempts to find a new port or make it an attraction have failed. Luckily, artificial reefing offers the SS United States a new life that preserves its legacy in an eco-friendly way. Artificial reefs help restore damaged ecosystems by providing shelter for fish, coral, and other marine life. They also ease pressure on natural reef systems by drawing tourism and supporting coastal economies. This is a perfect example of how communities can honor their cultural heritage while also boosting local economies and building a cleaner, safer future for all of us. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," a news release stated. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
SS United States arrives in Alabama to be prepped for sinking, world's largest artificial reef
March 3 (UPI) -- The decommissioned luxury liner SS United States, dating back to 1952, completed its final journey Monday from South Philadelphia to Alabama, where it will undergo preparations before it is sunk in the waters off Florida's Gulf Coast to become the world's largest artificial reef. The massive 72-year-old ship, which was retired in 1969, will be submerged after more than six months of work in Mobile to insure that the vessel is environmentally safe, Okaloosa County wrote in an email to UPI. The work will include removing old fuel, paint and wiring and will be done in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection. The ship, which is made entirely of metal, is expected to be submerged about 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida. "We are proud to continue the story of this historic vessel as an artificial reef along with the land-based museum," Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said Monday. "I applaud the Destin-Fort Walton Beach team in their efforts to succeed in this important next step and look forward to the immense impact she will continue to have on the lives of those who appreciate her history." The SS United States, which remains the largest passenger ship ever built in the United States with the capacity to hold 1,984 passengers, will provide a "much-needed habitat for a variety of marine species like grouper, snapper, mackerel and tuna." The plan is to cut holes throughout the ship to make sure it lands upright and to provide openings for marine life. It will also become a "worldwide hub for divers." The luxury liner, which measures 990 feet long, will provide diving opportunities for both beginners and technical drivers. The depth of the reef is expected to be 180 feet to the bottom and about 55 feet to the upper deck. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department said in a news release last month. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." The SS United States, which once held the transatlantic speed record between the United States and Europe at an average speed of more than 41 mph, departed South Philadelphia nearly two weeks ago and was towed by several tugs along the Atlantic Coast and around the southern tip of Florida to Alabama. Its journey was delayed last year after Coast Guard officials questioned its seaworthiness amid storm activity. Among its esteemed passengers during its 17-year run, were comedian Bob Hope, actor John Wayne, Princess Grace of Monaco, artist Salvadore Dali, actress Rita Hayworth and former President Harry Truman. The ship had spent the last 29 years docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia after falling into disrepair. The SS United States' two smoke stacks remain the world's tallest at 65 feet each, which is about the size of a six-story building. The two funnels will be removed before its sinking and will be placed in an onshore museum, which will also house other artifacts from the ship. The entire project -- which includes acquiring the luxury liner, getting it ready to be submerged and building the museum -- is expected to cost $10.1 million.
CNN
06-02-2025
- General
- CNN
SS United States is finally set to leave Philly for Florida — and its final resting place
The SS United States is nearly on the move — again. After months of delays, the first leg of the ship's journey to her new underwater home off the coast of Florida will admittedly be quite short — from Pier 82 to Pier 80 in Philadelphia. But if all goes to plan, the majestic ship will embark on its journey to Florida on Saturday after some setbacks that delayed its original departure late last year. 'Operations to move America's Flagship will begin with a lateral move,' says a statement released Wednesday from the ship's new owner, Florida's Okaloosa County, referring to the new pier. That move was outlooked for Thursday morning but is now expected to happen on Thursday evening, according to CNN affiliate WPVI. 'The SSUS will [then] depart Philadelphia on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at 4 a.m.,' says Okaloosa County. The 'Big U' will then take two weeks to travel down the East Coast and around the southern tip of Florida before stopping in Mobile, Alabama, for final preparations to be sunk off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach off the Florida Panhandle. The American icon — which set the transatlantic speed record in 1952 and is nearly as large as the Chrysler Building — will then become a haven for fish and divers as the 'World's Largest Artificial Reef.' But this is 'a tentative schedule,' the statement cautioned. 'Dates, times and other logistics are subject to change.' If Saturday presents visibility challenges, the move would take place at the next low tide, the statement says. Observers of the SS United States' move have become accustomed to changes of plans. Last fall, bad weather in the Gulf of Mexico initially delayed the trip south. The biggest hurdle came in the form of a 'Captain of the Port Order' from the Coast Guard. The order obtained by CNN said the ship 'may not have suitable stability for the intended transit and presents a hazardous condition to the port or waterway.' The order said Okaloosa County needed to restore the ship's structural integrity before it would be allowed to depart. After the Coast Guard told CNN last month 'positive progress' had been made on this front, on Wednesday the county said it had 'completed the necessary safety requirements by local, state and federal agencies to move the SS United States.' The ship's previous owner, the SS United States Conservancy confirmed the move as well Wednesday, noting the county had done 'comprehensive due diligence,' and 'extensive testing' to prepare for this journey. Once the SS United States docks in Alabama, contractors will 'remove hazardous material, including non-metal parts and fuel to ensure this deployment is clean and not harmful to the environment it aims to benefit,' according to Okaloosa County. Officials said the preparation process will take about 12 months. She was withdrawn from service in 1969. The admiration never ceased. While many longtime fans of the ship have mourned the decision to sink it, the SS United States Conservancy and Okaloosa County say this was the only option to prevent the SS United States from being scrapped after it was evicted from its longtime Philadelphia pier.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
SS United States luxury liner cleared for final voyage to Florida
Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The SS United States has been cleared to sail from south Philadelphia to Mobile, Ala., in preparation for its eventual sinking in northwest Florida to become the world's largest artificial reef. The vessel will be towed from its berth on the Delaware River in south Philadelphia to Mobile, where it will be readied for its eventual sinking in the Gulf 20 miles off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department completed the necessary safety requirements from respective federal, state and local regulators. The SS United States was built in 1951 and sailed from 1952 until its retirement in 1969. The ship had a capacity of 1,984 passengers. Divers will be able to visit the vessel and explore its surrounding ecosystem that will support a variety of marine life, the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department said Wednesday in a news release. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," the OCTDD said. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." The ship's size and the depth at which it will be sunk will support a "wide variety of marine life from iconic reef fish such as red snapper to pelagic species of fish, like wahoo," and "will provide bountiful fishing and diving opportunities for the local, visiting and charter industries," according to the OCTDD. The SS United States will begin its move on Thursday morning, when it will be moved from Pier 82 to Pier 80 and then towed from south Philadelphia at 4 a.m. Saturday if visibility is sufficient for enabling safe passage during low tide. If visibility is poor, the vessel will remain docked until the next low tide when visibility is sufficient. Several tugboats will escort the SS United States as it enters the Atlantic Ocean and is towed south along the eastern seaboard and around the Florida peninsula to Mobile during a two-week voyage. Those interested can follow the vessel's final journey online via GPS tracking that will start when the vessel begins is final voyage. The 990-foot ship initially was scheduled to be towed to Mobile on Nov. 14, but bad weather and safety concerns delayed its departure. Once the luxury liner has docked in Mobile, contractors will remove hazardous material, such as asbestos, fuel and non-metal parts, to make it safe for eventual deployment as an artificial reef. Contractors also will modify the vessel to ensure it will sink hull-first and remain upright after coming to rest on the floor of the Gulf and becoming the world's largest artificial reef. The process to prepare the vessel for its final deployment will take about 12 months and a museum dedicated to the SS United States will display many of its items at a museum dedicated to the vessel in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The SS United States Conservancy will work with the OCTDD to develop the land-based museum that will incorporate the ship's iconic features, including its funnels, radar mast and other components. The conservancy will curate and manage an archival collection while preserving the ship's history.
