WaterfrontFriday, November 6
The SS United States is set to leave Mobile on Monday, Nov. 9, weather permitting
The Mobile Daily News team
If you want to see the SS United States leave town, plan for Mon., Nov. 9. The Coast Guard expects the tow that day, and the ship's departure from M.A.R.R.S. Pier 4 on the Mobile River starts a moving safety zone. A public sendoff ceremony is set for Wed., Nov. 11.
The SS United States by the numbers
- 100 yards
- of buffer around the ship and its towing vessels
- 990 feet
- is the length of the ship
- $10.1 million
- is what Okaloosa County paid in October 2024
- 22
- nautical miles southwest of Destin is the planned sinking site
Sources: FOX10 News, Pensacola News Journal
- Boaters: stay clear and monitor VHF Channel 16
- Offshore site: expected Nov. 10
- Sinking operations: Nov. 12 at 10 a.m., weather permitting
Okaloosa County bought the liner and plans to sink it as the world's largest artificial reef. A nonprofit wants to stop that. The SS United States Preservation Foundation sued the Army Corps of Engineers and the county, arguing the Corps approved the project without adequately examining environmental risks. We suggest checking for Coast Guard updates before you head to the water.
The lawsuit and the tow are days apart
- Nov. 3The foundation filed suit in the Northern District of Florida.
- Nov. 4The foundation filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order.
- Nov. 9The ship is expected to be towed from Mobile.
- Nov. 11A public sendoff ceremony is set for 1:30 p.m.
- Nov. 12Sinking operations are scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
Sources: FOX10 News, Pensacola News Journal
Sources: FOX10 News, WEAR2, Pensacola News Journal