Historic SS United States to become world's largest artificial reef off Florida coast

The SS United States is now off the coast of Florida.

After a series of delays, the 990-foot ocean liner left Philadelphia last week, on its way to become the world's largest artificial reef off the Okaloosa County coast.

Now, tugboats will maneuver the ship around Florida's peninsula.

It's headed to the Port of Mobile, where it will undergo preparations to be sunk. Crews will make sure it's environmentally safe, and that it will land upright underwater. That process is expected to take about a year. Chairman of Resolve Marine Group, Josesph Farrell, says that includes stripping the engine room, removing toxins like asbestos, and scraping off paint.

The exact location along the Gulf Coast for the vessel’s deployment has not been set, but it is expected to be about 20 nautical miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

You can track its movements HERE.

The ship's departure was delayed several times this month. The U.S. Coast Guard requested a delay on Feb. 6 to ensure a proper tow from both piers. High winds delayed the departure on Feb. 17, then again on Feb. 18. The ship finally departed on Feb. 19.

History of the SS United States

• The ocean liner was built in Newport News, Virginia between February 1950 and June 1951.
• Its maiden voyage was July 3, 1952, from New York to La Harve, France and South Hampton, UK.
• It holds the record forthe fastest transatlantic cruise ship crossing, both eastbound and westbound.
• It's the largest and last passenger ship completely manufactured in the US.
• The ship weighs 53,000 tons. It's 175 feet tall from keel to funnel tops.
• It can hold 1,928 passengers and 1,044 crew.
• The ship was designed so that it could be modified to transport 14,000 troops.
• It's passenger manifest includes four US presidents and celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, and Marlon Brando.
• The SS United States' owner ran into financial struggles due to airline competition in 1969. The ship has changed hands many times since.
• It served as a dockside museum for the Port of Philadelphia starting in 1996.

Okaloosa County commissioners voted in October to buy the ship for $10 million. It's estimated that the economic benefit will be $3 million annually. The project will also include a land-based museum.