SS United States to be Transformed into World’s Largest Artificial Reef

The iconic ocean liner ss United States arrived in Mobile, Alabama ahead of schedule after being towed from Philadelphia. The vessel was brought to the Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) facility in Mobile to begin the process of converting it into the world’s largest artificial reef. The President of the SS United States Conservancy, Susan Gibbs, praised the ship’s speedy journey and noted the awe-inspiring sight of the liner moving through the waves for the first time in nearly three decades.

Captain Mike Vinik, in charge of towing the 990-foot liner, reported that the journey went smoothly, with better-than-expected speeds achieved. The ship’s route along the coast offered spectators in Florida a memorable view of the vessel, culminating in a stunning encounter with the massive cruise ship Utopia of the Seas. The United States arrived off the coast of Mobile and was guided into the bay by local tugs before being positioned at the yard for further preparations.

The next phase of the project involves stripping the ship in preparation for reefing near Destin, Florida. The remediation team is focused on removing fuel, cleaning tanks, and clearing the vessel of contaminants. External elements like paint and structures will be removed, while the interior will undergo thorough cleaning. The entire process is expected to take up to a year before the hull of the liner is ready to be transformed into an artificial reef.

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