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Okaloosa County postpones vote on plan to turn SS United States into world’s largest reef

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Okaloosa County postpones vote on plan to turn SS United States into world’s largest reef

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission’s plan to buy the SS United States is on hold after commissioners postponed a vote to turn the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef.

At the beginning of the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, County Administrator John Hofstead asked commissioners to push the discussion for two weeks after county officials ran into issues with pier operators.

“Okaloosa County is actively working with our partners with the SS US Conservancy to make necessary adjustments to the agreement,” Okaloosa County Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek said. “Until things get finalized, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment or speculation.”

The SS United States came into the public eye on Aug. 30 when the Okaloosa County Commission signed an agreement to purchase the historic ocean liner. However, commissioners had to hold a vote to ratify the agreement.

The news of the proposed purchase came one day after the Escambia County Tourist Development Council failed to discuss a decision to buy the vessel and sink it in the Gulf of Mexico. According to Okaloosa County documents, the tourist development department requested a budget allocation of approximately $9 million for the purchase, transport and environmental services required before the ship is sunk.

County staff have said the economic benefits to the area would be similar to those seen in Escambia County with the USS Oriskany, deployed as an artificial reef in 2006. Each year, the Oriskany sees more than 10,000 divers travel to the “great carrier reef,” with more than $3.6 million in direct spending as of 2015.

However, time is ticking for Okaloosa County. According to CBS News Philidelphia, a federal judge ruled that the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic must find a new docking location past Sept. 12.

The next scheduled Okaloosa County Commission meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Mollye Barrows from the Pensacola News Journal contributed to this report.

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