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Okaloosa County to vote on $10.1 million SS United States artificial reef project

Okaloosa County commissioners will consider a $10.1 million budget for acquiring and sinking the SS United States as an artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach at their October 1 meeting.
Chuck Homler d/b/a FocusOnWildlife, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Okaloosa County Commissioners are set to vote on a $10.1 million project to transform the historic ocean liner SS United States into the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

  • The Board of County Commissioners will consider the purchase and sale agreement for the vessel at their regular meeting on October 1, 2024, and ratify the executed contract. 

The proposed budget includes $1 million for acquisition and additional funds for remediation, transport, deployment, and the establishment of a complementary land-based museum.

If all of this sounds familiar…that’s because it is.

This vote comes after a delay in September due to complications with dockage arrangements. The county is in court mediation, with the potential to have the ship remain at its current Philadelphia pier until December 12, 2024.

The project faced a setback when the SS United States Conservancy, the current owner of the ship, filed an urgent motion on September 11, seeking an extension of time at Pier 82. This led to a court hearing on September 13 and subsequent mediation, resulting in the current agreement. As a result, the overall project cost has increased from the original $9 million estimate.

  • County staff have already invested $60,400 in due diligence tasks, including fuel tank surveys, PCB surveys, and hull inspections. Initial results have been favorable, with the ship deemed seaworthy.

The project has garnered significant financial support, with $6 million in firm partnership contributions already secured. County staff report over $10 million in additional funding opportunities under exploration.

“While the overall project budget is conservative at this time at $10.1 million, this is likely on the higher end, and it is expected that significant cost sharing will occur,” the agenda states.

If approved, the county aims to move the vessel from Philadelphia before the December 12 deadline. The Tourist Development Council has already recommended approval of the budget and associated contracts at its September 24 meeting.

The SS United Stateslaunched in 1952, still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner. At 990 feet long, it would surpass the USS Oriskany (888 feet) as the world’s largest intentional artificial reef.

  • The project aims to boost local tourism and create new marine habitats off the Florida coast. County officials cite the success of the USS Oriskany, sunk off Pensacola in 2006, which attracts over 10,000 divers annually and generates approximately $3.6 million per year in direct spending.

Once the project moves forward, the county plans to close the purchase before October 15, contingent on meeting contract requirements. Future contracts and funding agreements will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for approval in accordance with established thresholds.

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“I’m so sorry to hear about Sheila’s passing. We were friends a long time but had lost touch. She was so very smart and a really nice person. My condolences...”
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“Praying firvofficer and his family”
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“Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make”
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“No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.”
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“SPC beach bars have been successful for Decades. We have a large loyal and captive group! The Sand Flea family of restauranteurs have ways succeeded and will drawer other beach...”
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“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
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“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
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“I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another "charter boat hub", please quit trying to make Fort...”
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“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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