Final Countdown Begins for SS United States as Reef Sinking Date Is Set
Key Aspects:
The date for the deployment of the SS United States off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been announced as Thursday, November 12, 2026.
A moving safety zone of 100 yards will be in effect while the ship is towed out of Mobile Bay, and all vessels must remain at least one nautical mile away during the sinking.
Visitors can attend a public send-off ceremony on November 11, and the actual moving and sinking operation will be livestreamed.
The SS United States is just days away from the end of her journey to become the world’s largest artificial reef. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners announced on Monday, October 26, 2026 that the famed ocean liner would be deployed on Thursday, November 12, 2026 about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
The precise location for the proposed deployment is 30° 07.148′ N, 86° 46.755′ W.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile has established a 100-yard moving safety zone while the ship is towed out of Mobile Bay and to her final destination to ensure the safety of the vessel and those who wish to witness her historic final departure. The ship is expected to depart Modern American Recycling Services of Alabama (M.A.R.R.S.) Pier 4 on the Mobile River on Monday, November 9.
Once the ship arrives at the sinking location, all vessels not involved in the operation must remain at least one nautical mile from the ocean liner until her sinking is complete.
“This stand-off distance is necessary to ensure the safety of workers onboard the S.S. United States, and to protect the public from hazards associated with the sinking of a large vessel,” the USCG explained.
“Unauthorized vessels approaching too close to the S.S. United States at the sinking location may be boarded by USCG law enforcement personnel, and vessel operators may be subject to civil penalties or other enforcement action.”
Safely Viewing the SS United States
For those who want to celebrate the vessel and her decades of history, a public sendoff ceremony will be held at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center the day before, at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, featuring light refreshments.
AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin will begin a live viewing party for the deployment at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, with the actual deployment operations expected to begin at 10 a.m. The deployment is weather-permitting and dates and times may yet change if conditions do not permit the ship to be safely towed to her destination.
Online livestreaming of the ship’s deployment will also be available at thessus.com for those who cannot witness the event in person.
Once the ship has been safely deployed, divers will be able to visit the wreck. Remediation efforts have removed all potentially toxic and hazardous materials from the ship, and openings have been cut in her hull to permit safe access for divers as well as movement of marine wildlife, including sea turtles.
The ship will be resting upright in roughly 180 feet of water, with her top deck expected to be just 55-60 feet below the surface, accessible to all levels of certified divers.
A museum of the ship’s artifacts, history, and personal stories is planned by the SS United States Conservancy. The museum will give non-divers and any visitors interested in the ship an opportunity to explore the vessel on dry land. The ship’s funnels, radar mast, and a propeller are already stored for future display in the museum.
Final Countdown Begins for SS United States as Reef Sinking Date Is Set