Okaloosa County sets November 12 date for SS United States reef deployment

Okaloosa County commissioners confirmed on Sunday that the deployment of the SS United States as the world's largest artificial reef will proceed on Thursday, November 12, weather permitting. The operation will take place in the Gulf of Mexico, roughly 22 nautical miles southwest of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. The vessel will remain in Mobile, Alabama, until days before the scheduled submersion, at which point it will be towed to the deployment site.

The physical deployment process is set to commence at 10 a.m. on the 12th. To mark the occasion, county officials are organizing a public sendoff ceremony on Wednesday, November 11. The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Light refreshments will be served to attendees, who will gather to celebrate the ship's history before it is placed on the ocean floor.

For those unable to attend the in-person ceremony, a live viewing party is planned for the morning of the deployment. AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin will host the event starting at 9 a.m. A live feed from the deployment site will be broadcast on a large outdoor screen. The link for the live stream will be available on the project's website prior to the operation.

The site is located at coordinates 30° 07.148′ N and 86° 46.755′ W. County officials noted that the event may attract hundreds of vessels to the area. Safety and security partners are coordinating to ensure an efficient process, and bystanders are expected to follow guidance from safety boats stationed at the site. Commissioner Drew Palmer shared the logistical details on the board’s Facebook page.

The project is fully funded through tourism revenue and contributions from multiple partners. A summary of the ship's completed remediation is available on the county's website, alongside a 3D model for public viewing. The SS United States history page remains accessible for those interested in the vessel's background prior to its final rest.