SS United States Now Rests Off Destin: Divers Expected Soon, Anglers Still Await a Date

It took more than four hours for the S.S. United States to go under Wednesday night. When it finished, a ship that once carried President John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney sat on the Gulf floor off Destin.

The nearly 1,000-foot liner now rests about 180 feet below the surface, according to News 6 ClickOrlando reporter Rob Evans. Crews cut holes into the hull to sink it. Okaloosa County, which bought the vessel, has it set to become the world's largest artificial reef.

Fastest liner on the Atlantic, now a reef

The ship launched in 1952 and could hit 44 miles per hour. It was once the fastest passenger ship to cross the Atlantic. It even carried the Mona Lisa across the ocean.

Cheaper air travel ended its ocean-crossing days in 1969. After changing hands several times, it spent roughly 30 years docked in Philadelphia before Okaloosa County purchased it. One official said that without the reef plan, the ship could have been scrapped and turned into "your razor blades."

Planning a dive

The site sits about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin's East Pass. Plan on a full day. County divers inspected the wreck within hours of it settling, and the site is expected to open to the public shortly after.

You do not need advanced training to see it. The top deck sits 55 to 60 feet down, within reach of an Open Water-certified diver. The hull drops to 180 feet, which opens the lower decks and passageways to advanced and technical divers.

The reef is in federal waters, since Florida's Gulf state waters end at 9 nautical miles. Federal dive rules apply. Divers must stay at least 300 feet from a divers-down flag in open water and idle slowly when dive boats are on the site.

Planning a fishing trip

Fishing is expected to be allowed, though no separate opening date has been announced. Ask your charter captain before you book.

Okaloosa County expects red snapper, grouper, amberjack, mackerel and tuna to show up.

Anglers on private boats must register as a State Reef Fish Angler, even if they do not need a fishing license. It is free at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and renews every year. Anglers on licensed charter boats are covered by the boat's license.

Because the site sits at 180 feet, you must have a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready, plus a dehooking tool. Fish brought up from that depth need a descending device to survive release. Reef fish also require non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait.

Charter boats follow a separate federal season. Seasons for amberjack, grouper and other reef fish change through the year, and Florida runs its own 2026 Gulf red snapper season for private boats. Check FWC's saltwater fishing rules for current dates before every trip.

This report is based on News 6 ClickOrlando coverage by Rob Evans.