OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County has announced a major regional partnership that will help advance the deployment of the SS United States, set to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
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The collaboration includes Visit Pensacola and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA), joining Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners to promote the long-term tourism and environmental benefits of the project.
According to Okaloosa County, commissioners unanimously approved agreements bringing a $1.5 million contribution from Visit Pensacola and a $500,000 contribution from CCA. Visit Pensacola is scheduled to review and approve the agreement at its December 2025 meeting.
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said the partnership reflects the effort behind the project and the long-term value it can bring.
“I applaud the energy that went into creating these partnerships,” said Mr Mixon.
“This collaboration will foster amazing adventures for generations of visitors and create a tourism economy that will benefit the state and the entire Northwest Florida region.”
A portion of the contributions will be used for a multi-year marketing campaign promoting the SS United States as a premier global diving destination.
Visit Pensacola President and CEO Darien Schaefer said the project places the region in a unique position.
“Visit Pensacola is thrilled to partner with Okaloosa County on this historic initiative. With the addition of the SS United States and Pensacola already home to the USS Oriskany, Northwest Florida is becoming one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations for divers and marine exploration,” said Mr Schaefer.
Mr Schaefer added that the reef will bring environmental and economic gains.
“The transformation of the SS United States into the world’s largest artificial reef creates a rare opportunity to elevate our entire region on the global stage.”
He said the project will strengthen the Gulf’s environment while generating long-term tourism and economic benefits, demonstrating what regional cooperation can accomplish with a shared focus on sustainable growth.
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CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said the partnership continues years of collaboration with the county on habitat and fisheries work.
“CCA Florida is proud to once again partner with Okaloosa County, building on our long-standing collaboration on artificial reef projects and redfish stock enhancement,” said Mr Gorski.
He said the partnership shows how coordinated work between public agencies and nonprofits can support communities while strengthening marine ecosystems, noting that the contribution is the largest in CCA Florida’s history and a rare opportunity to help create the world’s largest artificial reef.
According to Okaloosa County, the reef will provide habitat for marine life, support environmental stewardship, and drive new tourism and economic activity throughout Northwest Florida.
The SS United States is currently docked in Mobile, Alabama and is in the inspection phase following months of remediation work needed for an environmentally safe deployment. The vessel is scheduled to be deployed in early 2026 in the Gulf of Mexico, about 22 nautical miles southwest of the Destin East Pass and 32 nautical miles southeast of the Pensacola Pass.
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The SS United States is a 990-foot American ocean liner known for holding the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing, a record it still maintains. Since 2022, county staff have monitored the vessel’s status, and in October 2024, the county entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement with the SS United States Conservancy and a remediation and deployment contract with Coleen Marine, Inc.
More information about the SS United States is available at https://www.ssusc.org/.
