SS United States departs Philadelphia for Norfolk preparations
- The SS United States will be transformed into an artificial reef in Okaloosa County, Florida, after leaving Philadelphia.
- The decision follows a two-year legal dispute with Penn Warehousing and challenges in securing a redevelopment plan.
- Okaloosa County has allocated over $10 million for the project, which aims to attract visitors and create a museum dedicated to the ship.
In the United States, the SS United States, a historic vessel, is set to leave Philadelphia after nearly 30 years at the same pier. Following a two-year legal dispute with Penn Warehousing, the SS United States Conservancy has decided to transform the ship into an artificial reef in Okaloosa County, Florida. The conservancy's president, Susan Gibbs, noted that the litigation significantly affected the ship's future, but a resolution has been reached. Plans for a redevelopment project that would have created jobs and revenue were halted due to logistical challenges and lack of government support. With time constraints imposed by the court, the conservancy opted for reefing instead of scrapping the ship. Okaloosa County has committed over $10 million to this initiative, which aims to attract visitors and create a museum that showcases the ship's history and artifacts. The vessel will first travel to Norfolk, Virginia, for preparations before its final transformation into an artificial reef.