An Update on the SS United States

Florida's Okaloosa County has updated the timeline for converting the SS United States into the "World’s Largest Artificial Reef" and has announced that the ship's deployment is planned for the second week of November.

The SS United States will be deployed in the Gulf approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Florida's Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The ship has been in Mobile, Alabama since March 2025 undergoing remediation and preparation for reefing.

More details will be released in the coming weeks, including the final schedule of events, and how Conservancy supporters and the public can participate, both in person and online.

In partnership with Okaloosa County, the SS United States Conservancy is advancing plans for a land-based museum located near the embarkation points for future diving tours to the ship which will share the story of the SS United States with the tens of thousands of divers, history buffs, ship enthusiasts, and tourists visit the shores of Destin-Fort Walton Beach each year.

The Conservancy has secured many large items from the SS United States for our planned land-based museum, including the ship's iconic funnels, the radar mast, the stem anchor, and many other components. The museum will explore the cultural importance of the ship's mid-century modern art and design and the record-breaking engineering that made her a 20th century marvel, celebrating the ship’s storied design, seagoing service, and role in American history.  

Over the course of the year, the Conservancy has offered opportunities for our supporters to pay tribute to the ship by sharing post cards, video messages, and more to be preserved in our curatorial collections. Learn more about our programming celebrating the Big U during this pivotal time in her history here.

You can support the Conservancy’s work by donating here. All gifts are tax-deductible.