Tentative Date Set for Reefing Historic Liner SS United States

Plans for the reefing of the historic ocean liner S.S. United States continue to progress, and now a tentative date has been announced for the operation. It comes after 19 months of remediation efforts to prepare the ship for the reefing operation.

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in Florida announced the planned schedule, as it appears they have obtained the final state and federal approvals for the operation. They said the reefing operation is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time on November 12 (weather permitting).

They are planning a series of lead-up activities, noting that the hull would be moved from the pier in Mobile, Alabama, to the deployment site “days in advance.” The U.S. Coast Guard reports the anticipated departure date is November 9 from Pier 4 on the Mobile River. The Coast Guard will be enforcing a 100-yard moving safety zone around the ship and the vessels supporting the dead-ship tow.

The final destination is approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach (proposed deployment location: 30° 07.148' N, 86° 46.755' W). Once the hull arrives at the location, USCG advises vessels to remain at least one nautical mile away until the sinking is completed.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →