Conservancy Awaits Decision on Proposed Ship Reefing Plan

The SS United States Conservancy has responded to a report on Get the Coast concerning the agreement to purchase and turn the historic ocean-liner into a reef.

The statement reads:

The U.S. District Court denied the Conservancy’s request for a three-month extension at the ship’s Philadelphia pier, and instead ruled that a formal agreement to remove the ship from Pier 82 must be presented by September 12.

Obligated to adhere to the Judge’s decisions, the Conservancy is exploring various possibilities for the ship’s future. These include deploying the SS United States as an artificial reef alongside creating a land-based museum and experience using iconic parts of the ship. A conditional contract with Okaloosa County, Florida, has been signed to further this plan.

It is crucial to note that the proposal is contingent on multiple factors, such as successful negotiations with pier operator Penn Warehousing to extend the ship’s docking past the court-specified deadline, while figuring out the logistics for moving and reefing the vessel. Contrary to certain media reports suggesting a final deal, this is not the case yet; discussions are ongoing and many details remain unresolved.

Creating an artificial reef is not the preferred outcome for the SS United States. In an ongoing effort to maintain the ship afloat, we have been searching nationwide for a new temporary location, which has yet to yield feasible results. With limited options due to Penn Warehousing, and scrapping being the only alternative, reefing represents a more honorable option.

From the outset, the Conservancy has endeavored to enhance public knowledge of the ship’s historical significance, host exhibitions, and look after a significant museum collection of art, archives, and historic artifacts from the vessel. Our foremost aim has always been to repurpose America’s Flagship to honor its legacy of innovation, strength, and pride. This objective has been particularly complex, expensive, and challenging; we collaborated for five years with RXR Realty and more recently with MCR Hotels to develop a commercial redevelopment plan for the ship. Unfortunately, Penn Warehousing’s actions have thwarted efforts to find a new location for this project, making it unlikely to realize our long-held aspirations. We are now striving to salvage the dream as well as we can, albeit not as initially planned, but in a way that perpetuates the ship’s storied legacy.

The notion of transforming the SS United States into a reef is understandably difficult for many, including members of the Conservancy’s Board who have strove to prevent this for over a decade. We commit to doing all in our power to preserve the ship’s legacy up to the September 12 deadline, and we deeply value your continual support and collaboration in our enduring mission.