SS United States underwater photos: First divers explore world’s largest artificial reef after historic sinking

DESTIN, Fla. (WPVI) — New, breathtaking video captures the SS United States for the first time at the bottom of the Gulf.

Rustin Cassway, with the Research Vessel Explorer out of Cape May, New Jersey, was among the first divers to take in the sight after the historic ship made its final voyage Wednesday night to become the world’s largest artificial reef.

“It was just epic,” Cassway said in an interview with Action News Thursday evening. “It was very cleaned up. I mean, you could see people really took their time to clean it really nicely.”

Cassway, an avid shipwreck diver, said the first stop on his 45-minute dive was to capture his friend Will swimming in front of the stern.

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The ship was expected to sink in about 55 meters of water, with its top deck about 18 meters below the surface — shallow enough for recreational divers to visit. It is now located about 25 miles southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola, Florida.

Cassway said he expects the artificial reef to attract divers from around the world.

“I would say that it’s a really good deal for everybody, and very well executed, the fact that it’s standing up straight,” he added.

WATCH: More stunning video captures SS United States after historic sinking

After being retired for more than 50 years and following several failed restoration plans, officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, bought the ship in 2024 in an effort to give it a new life.

The 990-foot vessel spent nearly three decades docked along Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront before departing last year for Alabama, where crews prepared it for its next role as an artificial reef.

READ MORE | SS United States completes final voyage, sinks to Gulf floor to become artificial reef

“I looked at this beautiful ship every time I crossed the Delaware River,” Cassway said.

Cassway said he became friends with the owner of Coleen Marine, the company responsible for sinking the ship.

“I mean, anyone to undertake such an operation is just amazing. And he, I knew he would get it done; it was a little hairy at the end,” he said.

The historic ocean liner, which is longer than the Titanic, slipped beneath the surface just before 10 p.m. Wednesday after hours of preparations and a lengthy sinking process that drew spectators from across the country.

WATCH: Moment SS United States sinks to bottom of Gulf

At one point, the ship was seen on its side before disappearing beneath the surface. Cassway confirmed that he found it upright on the bottom of the Gulf.

Officials moved up the sinking date by one day because of weather conditions. Thursday’s weather may have provided the perfect window to see the ship in its new home.

SEE ALSO | SS United States to be stripped, prepared for sinking off Florida’s Gulf coast

“We opened up the weather app this morning, we saw there was a window … we ran down to the marina,” Cassway said.

The $13.5 million project was designed to attract more divers and fishing enthusiasts while creating a habitat for marine life, including tuna, marlin and swordfish.

Cassway said he had already spotted several fish enjoying their new home.

“It is a new life, and there’s a lot of amazing, amazing life in the Gulf,” he said.