Okaloosa County emphasized that the project turning the SS United States into an artificial reef follows all applicable environmental standards.

Acquired by the county in late 2024, the former ocean liner is currently awaiting approvals from government agencies ahead of being sunk off Florida’s Panhandle Coast.

In a social media update, the county noted that “artificial reefs prepared in this way are a benefit to the marine ecosystem, not the other way around.”

“Okaloosa County follows all standards from the regulatory agencies regarding the deployment of the SS United States and all of the artificial reefs we have deployed,” the statement said, highlighting the county’s previous experience in similar projects.

According to the update, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs establish the national standard for the cleaning and preparation of reefing vessels.

In an apparent response to recent criticism of the project, the county noted that artificial reefs bring benefits to the marine ecosystem and other segments.

“They create habitat that did not previously exist and foster the development of a diverse environment that can thrive for the overall health of the environment that benefits marine life, our fishing industry and tourism as a whole,” Okaloosa explained.

The county highlighted the fact that it is following all standard regulatory and guiding documents while preparing the SS United States.

Five documents were mentioned, including two EPA publications: “National Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs” and “Technical Guidance for Determining the Presence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) at Regulated Concentrations on Vessels (Ships) to be Reflagged.”

The county is also following the third edition of “Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials,” a Gulf and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission publication.

Okaloosa also highlighted other documents, including Army Corps of Engineers Permit SAJ-1996-03565 (SP-SWA) and the Okaloosa County Standard Operating Procedures for preparing vessels for reefing.

The county added that the project aims to preserve the history of the SS United States, noting that the reefing project allows it not to be scrapped.