The SS United States Conservancy and its landlord have resolved a long-standing rent dispute, paving the way for a Florida county to turn the historic ocean liner into the world’s largest artificial reef. The conservancy had until September 12 to present plans to move the 1,000-foot ship, which still holds the transatlantic speed record. However, after filing a lawsuit against Penn Warehousing for sabotaging its efforts to sell the vessel, the deadline passed without a resolution. A tentative agreement with Okaloosa County was contingent on settling the rent dispute through court-imposed mediation, which was announced on Friday.
A small transfer of title ceremony took place at the Philadelphia pier where the ship is berthed, although final approval from a federal judge is still pending for the deal with Okaloosa County. Once approved, Okaloosa officials plan to sink the ship and create a signature diving attraction as part of the county’s artificial reef system. The hope is that this endeavor will generate millions of dollars in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats, and hotels. The conservancy board member, Thomas Watkins, expressed a heartfelt farewell to the ship, promising that it will be honored, cherished, and loved in its new home.
The purchase of the ship and subsequent sinking into an artificial reef could cost more than $10 million, with the entire process expected to take at least 1.5 years. The rent dispute with Penn Warehousing originated from a decision in August 2021 to double the ship’s daily dockage fee, which the conservancy refused to accept. Despite legal wrangling and a bench trial in January, U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody ultimately ruled that the conservancy’s failure to pay the new rate did not breach the contract. While the berthing agreement is terminable at will, with reasonable notice, there was no entitlement to damages.
The SS United States, christened in 1952, has a rich history as a beacon of American engineering and once served as a military vessel carrying troops. On its maiden voyage, it broke the transatlantic speed record in both directions, crossing the Atlantic in just over three days. To this day, the ship still holds the speed record for an ocean liner. Over the years, the vessel has passed through various private owners who attempted to redevelop it but were deterred by the high cost or unfavorable timing. After years of sitting idle along Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront, the future of the SS United States as an artificial reef represents a new chapter in its storied history.
In conclusion, the resolution of the rent dispute between the SS United States Conservancy and Penn Warehousing marks a significant step forward in the transformation of the historic ocean liner into an artificial reef. The partnership with Okaloosa County in Florida has the potential to not only honor the ship’s legacy but also provide a boost to local tourism and economic development. The painstaking process of purchasing, cleaning, transporting, and sinking the vessel will require substantial resources and time, but the end result is expected to be a unique and beloved diving attraction. With final approval pending and plans in motion, the SS United States is set to embark on a new journey in its illustrious history.
