Escambia County in Florida is exploring ways to pay for the acquisition of the SS United States, as stated in a report by the Pensacola News Journal.

According to the report, the county is interested in sinking the retired ocean liner in the Gulf of Mexico to create an artificial reef.

The proposed project has the support of commissioners and the local community and is estimated to cost $8.6 million.

This amount would be used to tow the SS United States from its current berth in Philadelphia and clean out pollutants onboard the vessel before sinking it in a yet-to-be-determined position in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the Pensacola News Journal, the estimate comes from a Texas-based company that transformed a retired aircraft carrier into an artificial reef in 2006.

Escambia’s County Board is reportedly examining funding options before deciding whether or not to pursue the project.

Given that commissioners are not willing to use Escambia’s General Fund or Local Option Sales Tax, the county is seeking state support as well as private donations.

Currently owned by the SS United States Conservancy, the United States is facing an uncertain future due to an eviction notice.

After a lengthy legal battle over docking fees, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Anita Brody has ruled that the 1952-built ship must vacate its berth by September 12, 2024.

While working to secure a new berth, the Conservancy has reportedly been considering other options, including scrapping the ship or sinking it as an artificial reef.

More recently, the not-for-profit organization filed a motion requesting an extension of the deadline to move the vessel to December 5, 2024.

The group has also raised $150,000 as part of a donation effort aimed at saving the ship and transferring it to a new location.