UPDATE: The SS United States' shift from Pier 82 to Pier 80 in South Philadelphia has been pushed back to 8:21 p.m. Thursday, at the second high tide of the day, Okaloosa County officials announced. The U.S. Coast Guard requested the time change due to a "combination of factors." Saturday's departure from Philadelphia remains on schedule, but is "dependent on visibility," authorities said.
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The SS United States is expected to depart Philadelphia early Saturday morning after months of delays. But first, it will move to another dock in South Philadelphia on Thursday morning.
The ocean liner will be relocated from Pier 82 to Pier 80 on the Delaware River at 6 a.m. Thursday, officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, said on Wednesday. The county on the Florida Panhandle purchased the ship in the fall and plans sink it in the Gulf of Mexico, creating the world's largest artificial reef, a project that has budget of more than $10 million.