Okaloosa County close to acquiring world’s largest artificial reef in SS United States

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County is looking to secure what would become the largest artificial reef in the world.

The county recently signed an agreement to purchase the historic SS United States. The ship was launched in 1952 and is currently facing legal challenges.

In mid-June, a federal judge ruled it must vacate its home in Philadelphia within 90 days. County officials say the reefs are a major economic driver for the area, but they must act fast.

The bidding process for retired vessels is extremely competitive, according to the county officials. And this latest proposal in Okaloosa County is no different. Until Thursday night, the deal was also being discussed in Escambia County.

Next week, the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners will discuss a $9 million proposal to sink the SS United States between Destin and Fort Walton Beach, creating the world’s largest artificial reef. It’s 102 feet longer than the current record-holder, the USS Oriskany — offshore in Pensacola.

Dive enthusiasts in Fort Walton Beach say Northwest Florida is full of artificial reefs, but diving to a passenger liner sets the experience apart.

“When the boat’s coming, I’ll probably come here to dive Fort Walton Beach,” says avid freediver Stephen Reffne. “And I’ll be on the first charter out there.”

Gary Wyant has owned Fort Walton Beach Scuba for more than six years. He tells WEAR News there’s a number of artificial reefs off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast. Adding this ship to the list creates significant economic opportunity.

“I am super excited for it,” says Wyant. “It’s gonna be great for the economy, great for the area. It’s gonna be another wreck we can go on and do wreck penetration dives. It’s gonna be amazing.”

While Okaloosa County appears enthusiastic about the deal, Escambia County officials also discussed the possibility of sinking the vessel off Pensacola.

In July, the Board of County Commissioners heard the proposal and earlier this week was brought to the Tourism Development Council (TDT). In Commissioner Jeff Bergosh’s words, the county didn’t act fast enough to secure the deal that’s expected to rake in $3-6 million dollars annually.

“These kind of opportunities are important and can be very beneficial to our tourist economy here in Escambia County, if we were able to land it,” Bergosh says. “But they have a lot more TDT funds over in Okaloosa and a different set up over there and we were a little late to the game, unfortunately.”

“I would hope going forward that the county would look at issues like this and take the long view,” he added. “And sometimes you have to make a fast decision.”

Dive experts, like Wyant, say the Oriskany is a dream for divers worldwide. However, he tells WEAR News the SS United States would bring a competitive edge to Okaloosa County that will only increase diving interest across the Panhandle.

“The Oriskany is an amazing dive,” says Wyant. “This one will be even better.”

There’s still some red tape with the deal. The county tells WEAR News the signed contract still needs to be approved by the board and is contingent on third party agreements.

Commissioners will discuss the project on Tuesday.