Kategorie: News
From ocean liner to underwater paradise: The creation of a new artificial reef.
The SS United States, once a symbol of speed and luxury, is to be transformed into an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico. After almost 30 years in Philadelphia, the ocean liner embarked on its final voyage on 19 February 2024. The ship is currently being towed to Mobile, Alabama, where it is being cleaned of pollutants and prepared for its sinking.
Okaloosa County in Florida has purchased the ship for over 10 million dollars and plans to sink it off Destin-Fort Walton Beach at a depth of around 50 metres. The SS United States is just over 50 metres high from keel to funnel, making the wreck a special site for beginners, experienced recreational and tech divers alike. The SS United States is expected to become a unique diving attraction. Preparations for the sinking are expected to take up to a year and a half.
The 302 metre long ship was commissioned in 1951 and made its first voyage in 1952. The SS United States broke all records on her maiden voyage from New York to Southampton, crossing the Atlantic in just 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes. This achievement earned her the Blue Riband, an award for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a passenger ship. In the event of war, the ship could be converted to transport up to 15,000 soldiers. Among the prominent guests on board were Princess Grace of Monaco, Salvador Dalí, John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney.
Between 1953 and 1969, the SS United States called at Columbuskaje, a quay for large passenger ships on the Outer Weser in the north-west of Bremerhaven, a total of 167 times. By the time of its last voyage in 1969, the ship had carried more than one million passengers across the Atlantic. With the advent of air transport, the Atlantic crossing by ship became less important and the SS United States was decommissioned in 1969.
Artificial reefs create habitats for marine species.
From 1996, the ship lay at anchor in Philadelphia harbour and fell into disrepair. Despite various attempts to save the ship, all projects failed due to financial difficulties. The project to turn the SS United States into an artificial reef now offers the opportunity to preserve the ship and create a new ecosystem at the same time.
The major challenges with such a project are the high cost of cleaning - as well as the transport and logistics required for the sinking. The project is expected to be completed in 2025 or 2026 at the earliest.
The ‘transformation’ of the SS United States into an artificial reef is expected to write a new chapter for the ship. A museum on land will also present the history of the ocean liner.