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The historic ocean liner, SS United States appears to be headed to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. The ship was sought after by both Escambia and Okaloosa counties as an artificial reef, but Okaloosa County and the SS United States Conservancy announced Tuesday that Okaloosa's Board of County Commissioners has approved a contingent contract to acquire the ship and convert it into the world's largest artificial reef, a record that is currently held by the Oriskany off Escambia County.
According to Okaloosa, part of the deal would also include county funding to support the Conservancy's establishment of an innovative land-based museum that will provide divers, residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about the legacy of America's Flagship.
Okaloosa County signed an agreement to purchase the ship in August after Escambia's Tourist Development Council (TDC) decided to put off a discussion about purchasing the grand ocean liner. Escambia County had originally pursued a possible to deal to buy the ship and sink it in the Gulf of Mexico off county waters as an artificial reef, but Escambia County leaders were not as adamant in obtaining the SS United States as Okaloosa County's leaders.
Okaloosa County has made purchasing and sinking ships with tourist development tax dollars a priority in recent years, which has made the Destin area a diving destination. It's an effort that some hoped Escambia County would replicate saying the ship would put Escambia County back on the map with divers and bring in more money and business. While the Oriskany continues to be a draw in the Gulf off Pensacola, it's sunk so deep most of it is only accessible to highly skilled divers.
Last month, divers, charter boat captains, and others with Escambia's Marine Advisory Committee and Natural Resources Department asked Escambia's Board of County Commissioners to consider funding the purchase of the ship - an ask of at least $7 million. However, while some commissioners were supportive of the idea there was not much enthusiasm from most of the four men on the board to pay for it with monies from the General Fund or Local Option Sales Tax, in part because they felt there were other spending priorities.
Board Chair Steven Barry mentioned at the time he wanted an indoor sports facility in District 5, while Commissioner Lumon May said the aging Pensacola Bay Center needed millions of dollars in upgrades and repairs. The board encouraged supporters of the project to ask for money from the TDC, which eventually agreed to give $1 million toward buying the SS United States. At the same meeting, the TDC agreed to spend $90 million in tax dollars to build an indoor sports facility at Ashton-Brosnaham Park in District 5 and make improvements to the Bay Center, an expensive proposal that has raised questions and concerns with other city and business leaders.
Escambia misses opportunity: Okaloosa agrees to buy SS United States after Escambia tourism board puts off discussion
In September, Escambia's board did approve a sponsorship campaign to raise money for buying the ship. They also agreed to let staff pursue up to $2 million in RESTORE funds to assist with the project. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Foundation also agreed to give Escambia County $3 million toward the effort and the Escambia County Aquatic Resources Stewardship Endowment committed another $400,000. Between those monies plus private contributions, Escambia County had raised close to $5.5 million for the project, but the county didn't have enough to make a bid and Okaloosa County did.
Okaloosa says the deal to acquire the vessel from the Conservancy could close in the coming weeks and is contingent upon the conclusion of the current U.S. District Court-imposed mediation. The vessel would then be moved from Philadelphia, where it has been docked for 30 years and has been court ordered to leave, after initial preparations and a towing plan are completed. Okaloosa says a conservative allocation of up to $10.1 million is estimated for the acquisition, remediation, transport, and deployment of the historic ocean liner, as well as partial funding to help establish the Conservancy's land-based museum and immersive experience.
Ship has sailed: Escambia County lines up funding for SS United States in race to purchase
"Once deployed off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, at nearly 1,000-feet long, the SS United States will be a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world," Okaloosa County said in press release. "The purchase of the SS United States will continue the growth of Destin-Fort Walton Beach's robust artificial reef program, the most active, and one of the largest vessel artificial reef collections in the United States."
Escambia Marine Advisory Committee Chair Kerry Freeland supported buying the ship and he's disappointed for the businesses and diving community that could have enjoyed and benefitted from having it here.
"It may take away some of our visiting divers," said Freeland. "They may end up staying over there instead of here, so it may adversely affect our tourism in that if they do the plan to do the Oriskany, they'll make a day trip over here instead of staying here and diving it while they're here."
Escambia County's Natural Resources Department remains committed to building up the county's artificial reef program and is looking at other ship opportunities, but nothing yet is that is ready for discussion.