Captain Mike Vinik was responsible for leading the massive operation to relocate the historic SS United States — his favorite ship — from its longtime home in Philadelphia to Alabama, where it will prepare to become the largest artificial reef in the world, writes Jared Williams for Get the Coast.
Following the successful towing of the former cruiseliner, Vinik remains impressed with the beautiful vessel.
“Every time you look back at the ship, it’s just more beautiful than you remember,” he said. “I can’t believe the lines of the ship. It’s just amazing.”
The owner of Vinik Marine captained the tugboat Vinik #6 during the ten-day journey delivering the vessel to its temporary home in Mobile, Alabama. While the 1,000-foot-long SS United States was far from his first tow, it was by far the most challenging one. It is the largest vessel Vinik Marine has ever moved.
The voyage also attracted extraordinary public attention.
Vinik noted that there were people lined up along the banks of every public access point in the Delaware River for the ship’s Philadelphia departure.
The SS United States has been quite the attraction in Alabama, as well.
Read more about Mike Vinik and his work to help relocate the SS United States in Get the Coast.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in March 2025.
