Last updated: November 4, 2026
The SS United States, the 990-foot ocean liner that still holds the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing, is scheduled to go down as the world's largest artificial reef on Thursday, November 12, 2026, weather permitting. Okaloosa County will sink her in the Gulf about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, with operations set to start at 10 a.m.
When and where is the SS United States being sunk?
The county's proposed deployment site is 30° 07.148' N, 86° 46.755' W, about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The ship is expected to leave the Modern American Services of Alabama yard on the Mobile River on Monday, November 9, subject to weather. The date can move if conditions turn, so check thessus.com and the county's updates before you plan your week around it.
She'll rest in about 180 feet of water with her upper decks around 55 feet below the surface. The county says that depth range works for both beginning and technical divers. She's being sunk by controlled flooding, not explosives.
How can I watch the sinking?
- Send-off ceremony: A free public event with light refreshments at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
- Watch party: AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin opens a live viewing party at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 12, with the feed on its large outdoor screen.
- Livestream: The county will post the viewing link at thessus.com before deployment.
- Charter boat: Olin Marler's fleet in Destin Harbor is selling 240 seats at $99 per person. Their page lists the date as the second week of November, so confirm the day when you book: 850-837-7095.
What are the Coast Guard rules for boaters?
During the tow from Mobile, the Coast Guard enforces a 100-yard moving safety zone around the ship and every vessel involved in towing her. That zone runs until the tow reaches the territorial sea boundary, about 12 nautical miles off Destin. Fines for entering it without permission can reach $117,608.
Once she's at the sinking site, every boat that isn't part of the operation must stay at least 1 nautical mile away until she's on the bottom. Boats that get too close can be boarded. The county expects hundreds of spectator vessels, so follow the safety boats, watch the marine forecast and plan for a long run each way.
Why does a reef like this matter for PCB and 30A?
Life here is built around the Gulf. A lot of my buyers in Panama City Beach and along 30A tell me the water is the reason they're buying: a boat ride to a wreck on Saturday, grouper and snapper on the grill that night. The county expects snapper, grouper, amberjack, mackerel and tuna on the new reef.
Panama City Beach has its own strong wreck diving too, like the USS Strength. A new landmark reef a short drive west adds one more reason divers and anglers put this coast on their list, and some of them end up owning here.
If that's you, the details that matter are boat slips, marina access, storage for dive and fishing gear, and how far you are from a pass. I can walk you through condos and homes that fit how you plan to use the water.
Ready to live closer to the Gulf?
Call Roger Rietsema 850-596-5844 and tell me how you want to use the water. I'll send you a short list of PCB and 30A properties near the passes and marinas this week.
About the author
Roger Rietsema is a Realtor with Allison James Estates & Homes, licensed in Florida since May 2003, with more than 600 closed sales in Panama City Beach and along 30A.
Sources
- Okaloosa County via Fox 10, Nov. 1, 2026: https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/11/01/heres-look-events-associated-with-deployment-ss-united-states/
- WJHG, Oct. 26, 2026: https://www.wjhg.com/2026/10/26/how-watch-celebrate-sinking-historic-ss-united-states/
- Federal Register, Coast Guard safety zone, Oct. 30, 2026: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/30/2026-22249/safety-zone-ss-united-states-dead-ship-tow-sector-mobile-captain-of-the-port-zone-mobile-al
- AL.com, Nov. 2026: https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2026/11/coast-guard-plans-moving-safety-zone-for-ss-united-states-final-trip.html
- Okaloosa County SSUS FAQs: https://myokaloosa.com/SSUSFAQs
- Olin Marler Charter Boats: https://olinmarlercharterboats.com/ss-united-states-sinking-trip-destin/
- Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail: https://floridapanhandledivetrail.com/Ships/Strength
