Destin:Florida The historic SS United States ocean liner is set to be deliberately sunk off Florida's Gulf Coast to establish what is claimed to be the world's largest artificial reef. The operation is scheduled for Wednesday, as conveyed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the 990-foot vessel will be submerged approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin East Pass in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship, acquired by Florida's Okaloosa County in 2024, is intended to serve as a habitat for marine life, a scientific research site, and support the region's fishing and diving industries.

Researchers from WHOI will explore how marine organisms colonize the vessel and the development of ecosystems around large artificial structures. "This is an exciting opportunity to study and monitor the development of a new ecosystem," stated WHOI marine biologist Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser.

The scientific team will evaluate changes in water chemistry, microbial activity, and marine biodiversity by collecting water samples from 132 locations around the vessel. They aim to assess how metals released from the ship's structure impact the emerging ecosystem. Baseline measurements are to be established within the first month, with ongoing monitoring planned for several years.

The SS United States has undergone significant environmental remediation to meet US environmental and maritime guidelines before its planned sinking. The ship, which began service in 1952 and set a transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage, became an emblem of American maritime history. After decades out of service, plans emerged to transform it into an artificial reef.