Follow the SS associations

The SS USA are now off the Florida coast.

After a series of delays, the 990-foot Oceanin Philadelphia left on the way last week to become the world's largest artificial reef off the Okaloosa County coast.

Now tugs will maneuver the ship around Florida's peninsula.

It goes to the port of Mobile, where it will be prepared to sink. The crews will ensure that it is environmentally friendly and ends up under water. This process is expected to take about a year. The chairman of the Resolve Marine Group, Joseph Farrell, says that removing the engine compartment, removing toxins such as asbestos and scraping off color belong.

The exact location along the golf coast for the use of the ship has not been determined, but it is expected that it is about 20 nautical miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Here you can follow his movements.

The departure of the ship was delayed several times this month. The US Coast Guard applied for the delay on February 6 to ensure a proper tow. Strong winds delayed the departure on February 17th, then again on February 18. The ship finally left February 19.

History of the SS United States

• The Ocean Liner was built between February 1950 and June 1951 in Newport News, Virginia.
• The maiden voyage was July 3, 1952 from New York to La Harve, France and South Hampton, Great Britain.
• It holds the record for the fastest transatlantic cruise ship, both towards the east and in a western direction.
• It is the largest and last passenger ship that was completely manufactured in the USA.
• The ship weighs 53,000 tons. It is 175 feet from keel to funnel tops.
• It can hold 1,928 passengers and 1,044 crew members.
• The ship was designed in such a way that it could be modified so that it could transport 14,000 soldiers.
• The passenger manifesto includes four US presidents and celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne and Marlon Brando.
• The owner of the SS United States had financial battles due to the airline competition in 1969. Since then, the ship has changed the owner many times.
• From 1996 it served as a harbor museum for the port of Philadelphia.

Okaloosa County Commissioners voted in October to buy the ship for $ 10 million. It is estimated that the economic benefit will be 3 million US dollars annually. The project will also include a Landmuseum.