The SS United States, once the pride of American maritime engineering, completed her last self-powered voyage on November 7, 1969. Her final docking was a quiet event compared to the fanfare that marked her record-setting maiden voyage in 1952, when she shattered speed records and claimed the coveted “Blue Riband” for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.
Following her retirement, she was moored in various locations – most notably in Norfolk, Virginia, and later where she sat for over 25 years on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. During her mooring, a series of owners and developers entertained plans ranging from luxury redevelopment to museum conversion. She remained largely intact, stripped of her interiors but structurally sound – a ghostly silhouette of mid-century elegance.
The Voyage to Mobile and the MARRS Facility
In October 2024, Okaloosa County in Florida, finalized the purchase of the SS United States. Host Agency, LLC, as agents only, was chosen to facilitate the voyage of the SS United States to Modern American Repair & Recycling Services of Alabama, LLC (MARRS) who specializes in sustainable marine solutions, recycling, and artificial reef creation. MARRS is teamed with Coleen Marine, Inc. who will assist in berthing the SS United States and with reef preparation.
From there she will be moved to her final resting place in Florida. Her journey is being managed and facilitated by Alexander “Alec” May, East Gulf Regional Manager for The Host Agency.
She has been carefully and successfully towed from Philadelphia to the Port of Mobile, Alabama, marking her first move in decades.
Host Agency’s Key Contributions
- Port Coordination and Berthing Arrangements:
Host Agency liaised with the Port of Mobile and local authorities to secure a suitable berth for the SS United Statesupon her arrival. This involved meticulous planning to accommodate the vessel’s size and ensure compliance with port regulations.
- Logistical Support:
The Host Agency managed various logistical aspects, such as coordinating with tug operators, scheduling the tow, and ensuring that all necessary permits and documentation were in order for the vessel’s arrival and subsequent operations in Mobile.
- Collaboration with MARRS
Host Agency worked closely with Modern American Repair & Recycling Services (MARRS) and Coleen Marine, Inc., the contractors responsible for the environmental remediation of the SS United States. This partnership ensured a seamless transition from arrival to the preparation phase for the ship’s transformation into an artificial reef.
Through their comprehensive maritime services and local expertise, Host Agency was instrumental in the successful relocation of the SS United States, paving the way for her new role in marine conservation and recreation.
At the MARRS facility, MARRS, Coleen Marine, engineers, and maritime experts are conducting a final assessment of the ship’s remaining structure. Salvaging her as a floating museum is no longer viable. A new, noble future has been envisioned for her: theSS United States is slated to become an artificial reef in the Gulf of America, and the World’s Largest Artificial Reef.
While at the facility, she will have her fuel, lubrication, and hydraulic oil removed for recycling. Her wire, cable, and duct work, both of her funnel stacks, the propeller from the fan tail (back) of the vessel, antenna, masts, light posts, and any items that extend above the top of the vessel. The goal being to affect the depth of water required so the highest point of the vessel is about 60 feet from the surface.
How do you properly sink a ship?
Sinking a ship to create an artificial reef is a complex and carefully controlled process—part science, part engineering, and part environmental stewardship. Here’s how it’s done properly and safely:
1. Environmental Cleanup (Remediation)
Before anything else, the ship is stripped of all hazardous materials to meet EPA, Coast Guard, and NOAA standards. This includes:
- Fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluids
- Mercury-containing items (switches, lights)
- Electrical wiring and plastics that could release toxins
- Loose debris or anything that could float away
- Exfoliating paint
2. Structural Preparation
Next, crews modify the ship for safe diving and structural stability underwater:
- Cut access points for divers (doors, hatches, swim-throughs)
- Stabilize bulkheads and compartments to prevent collapse
- Remove or secure loose items inside the ship
- Add escape routes to avoid trapping divers
3. Tow and Site Selection
The ship is towed to a pre-approved reef site, selected for:
- Depth, with the desire being to meet the requirements for Advanced Open Water Divers
- Water clarity and current flow
- Proximity to shore and boat access
- Avoidance of existing coral or sensitive habitats
Agencies like NOAA, state fish and wildlife departments, and sometimes the military are involved in the approval process.
4. Controlled Sinking (Scuttling)
The ship is sunk using a controlled scuttling process:
- Crews pre-cut holes and flood key compartments.
- At the designated moment, sea valves are opened to let water flood in.
- The sinking is conducted by Coleen Marine, Inc. whose team has specialized in making artificial reefs for over 25 years.
- Ballast may be used to ensure correct orientation (e.g., upright on the seafloor).
The goal is to have the ship settle intact, stable, and upright, offering optimal conditions for marine life and diver exploration.
5. Post-Sinking Monitoring
Once on the seafloor, the site becomes part of an artificial reef system where experts monitor marine life colonization, structural integrity, environmental impact, and diver safety
Over time, the ship becomes encrusted with coral and sponges and inhabited by fish, turtles, and invertebrates—creating a thriving ecosystem.
A Final Resting Place with Purpose
Plans are underway to respectfully scuttle the ship in a designated reef zone off the Florida coast, where she will rest as part of a state and federally approved artificial reef program. This new role will allow her to serve a powerful ecological purpose: attracting marine life, supporting biodiversity, and improving fisheries.
For anglers, this means a new hotspot teeming with red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and other prized Gulf species. For divers, the SS United States will become a world-class destination—an underwater monument to American maritime achievement, history, and transformation. Her massive steel hull and remaining superstructure will offer a fascinating and photogenic dive environment, rich with history and marine life.
Moreover, her positioning will contribute to marine habitat development and help alleviate pressure on natural reefs, providing an enduring benefit to the Gulf’s ecosystem.
A Fitting Legacy for the SS United States
The conversion of the SS United States into an artificial reef honors her in a way that she will not be forgotten or lost to the scrapyard. She will rest in the waters she once conquered, repurposed into a sanctuary that continues to serve the public and the planet.
Host Agency, a company based in Mobile, Alabama, played a significant role in facilitating the SS United States’ relocation. As a subsidiary of T. Parker Host, Host Agency specializes in providing comprehensive maritime services, including vessel agency, stevedoring, and terminal operations. Their expertise was crucial in coordinating the complex logistics of moving the historic ocean liner from Philadelphia to Mobile.
At the time of this writing, she can be viewed on a cruise-by offered by tour operators in Mobile, Alabama, while she is being prepared for her offshore sinking, which is potentially scheduled to take place at the end of 2025.