VINIK NO.6

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Latest news

Tug towed SS United States to Mobile

The SS 'United States', being towed by the 'Vinik No. 6', has arrived in Mobile, Alabama, on March 3, after completing the 12-day tranist from Philadelphia. The ship was maneuvered to a berth at the Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) facility in the port for the next phase of the effort to convert her into the world’s largest manmade artificial reef. Captain Mike Vinik, controlling the tug, had previously reported they were making better than anticipated speeds during the approximately 1,800-mile trip. Other than the initial bad weather near Virginia, it was a calm trip and Vinik maneuvered the liner inside the Gulf Stream to reduce resistance. The most spectacular image came as the cruise ship 'Utopia of the Seas', one of the largest cruise ships in the world, altered course for a rendezvous with the 'United States', which arrived off Mobile on the night of March 2 and waited for daylight about two miles off the coast, which the US Coast Guard had required for the dead ship tow. She entered Mobile Bay at midday, and was pivoted into her final position with the assistance of local tugs. The remediation team was ready to continue the efforts to prepare the ship. Removing the remaining fuel and cleaning her tanks is a priority. Externally the loose paint needs to be removed as well as other loose materials. The funnels, radar mast, and cargo kingposts are to be removed along with the windows and portholes. On the interior, all the contaminants need to be removed before final preparation for the reefing to the east near Destin, Florida. It will take up to about a year to make the preparations to reef the ship. Report with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/liner-ss-united-states-completes-last-voyage-arriving-in-mobile

Tug towing SS United States arrived in Mobile

The 'Vinik No. 6', towing the SS 'United States', has transited the Gulf of Mexico and approached the Mobile Bay on March 3 at 5.30 a.m. after an 1,800 mile journey from Philadelphia to Alabama, which had started on Feb 19, after the ocean liner had been docked along the Delaware River for nearly 30 years. The arrival is two days ahead of schedule. The tug crew sped up that process as severe storms were expected in the Mobile area on the night. The SS 'United States' will next be towed into the port of Mobile Ship Yards, which is an all-day process. In fall 2024, Florida's Okaloosa County bought the ship after approving a $10.1 million plan to relocate the ocean liner, sink it and build a $1 million seaside museum chronicling its history. The ship's final home will be under about 55 meters of water 20 miles off the coast of Destin, Florida, where the ship will become a destination for scuba divers and attract fish and other wildlife as a reef. Report with photos: https://6abc.com/post/ss-united-states-tracker-historic-ocean-liner-approaching-mobile-bay-making-journey-philadelphia/15936688/

Tug towed famous liner along Florida coast

The 'Vinik No. 6' was towing the SS 'United States' along Florida coast past Palm Beach County on the way to Moibile, Alabama, on Feb 26., eight days after leaving its home in South Philly. The ocean liner caught the attention of many people along the South Florida coast as it made its way past Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and other coastal communities. On the afternoon of Feb 27, it was passing Key West. Reports with photos: https://www.phillyvoice.com/ss-united-states-photos-florida-philly-ocean-liner/ https://eu.pnj.com/story/news/2025/02/27/can-ss-united-be-seen-from-the-florida-panhandle-when-it-passes/80737364007/