The proposed sinking of the SS United States has generated significant debate, with campaigners asserting that the ship constitutes a unique element of maritime heritage that warrants preservation.

The vessel, formerly the fastest transatlantic liner ever constructed, has been the focus of redevelopment initiatives for several years. Recently, proposals have surfaced to deliberately sink the ship to establish an artificial reef and diving attraction.

It all starts with the moment a ship hits the seafloor. Almost immediately, it begins to transform. Marine organisms like algae, barnacles and corals start to colonise the hull, followed by larger creatures like crabs, eels and eventually schools of fish. To divers, these wrecks can look like bustling underwater cities, but to marine scientists, they are valuable models of ecological succession.

Update 14 Oct: 

The long-standing rent dispute that hindered a Florida county’s efforts to convert the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef has now been resolved. The agreement to settle this dispute was announced on Friday. On Saturday, conservancy and county officials gathered at the Philadelphia pier, where the ship is docked, for a brief title transfer ceremony.

-- --

Artificial reefs are increasingly used worldwide as a method for managing recreational diving since they have the potential to satisfy both conservation goals and economic interests.

Although there are negative impacts associated with mass diving tourism, scuba diving has the potential to generate substantial revenues. However, balancing the requirements of reef conservation with the needs of local host economies represents a considerable challenge to managers and policymakers.

The ecological role of shipwrecks as artificial reefs is well established and they are often prime and exclusive destinations for diving tourism. But they are also extremely delicate and sensitive environments.

The 60m-long, former tanker Hephaestus, which was scuttled at Xatt l-Aħmar just 30m off Gozo’s south-east coast on 29 August had run aground on rocks in St Paul’s Bay in Malta three and half years ago and subsequently written off.

The operation was organised by the Tourism Authority together with the Ministry for Tourism and the Association of Professional Diving Schools of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The boat was scuttled and sank between the wrecks of St Michael and Melita, two tugboats that also serve as scuba diving sites.