S.S. United States Sinking Today: How to Watch in Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WPVI) — The S.S. United States is hours away from becoming the world’s largest artificial reef.

Officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, moved up the ship’s sinking by one day because of the forecasted weather.

“Safety is always a top priority in Okaloosa County,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin said. “There is simply no reason to take an unnecessary risk when adjusting the schedule will allow us to carry out this historic deployment safely and smoothly.”

The historic ocean liner is scheduled to be sunk off the Okaloosa County coast on Wednesday.

Action News reporter John Paul is in Florida to document the ship’s final voyage.

“Although the weather forced a change in plans, it has given this historic event an especially meaningful date,” Goodwin said. “On Veterans Day, as we honor the men and women who served our nation, we will also honor the legacy of the SS United States, a magnificent ship that proudly bears the name of the country they so bravely defended.”

Officials said a livestream link will be shared so the public can watch the deployment.

The livestream is expected to begin at 11 a.m. CST (noon EST), with deployment operations scheduled for 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST).

The ship has been undergoing remediation since it was towed from Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront last year.

Okaloosa County officials have described the project as both an economic development opportunity and an environmental initiative. They say the vessel will draw divers and provide new habitat for marine life.

The vessel spent nearly 30 years docked along Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront before leaving last year for Alabama, where crews prepared it for its new life as an artificial reef.