The SS United States' departure from South Philadelphia's Pier 82 has been delayed yet again . Officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, said the plan to move the massive ship out of South Philadelphia Friday has been scrapped. County officials said a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico was reason enough to abort the mission.

The departure of the SS United States from Pier 82 is delayed. The big ship was supposed to begin its journey this Thursday and Friday with the ultimate destination off the coast of Florida where it will be sunk to become the world's largest artificial reef.

Officials from Okaloosa County said the delay is so they can “ensure logistical details and procedures maintain ideal conditions for the move.”

The SS United States is scheduled to depart from Philadelphia next week to be turned into the world's largest artificial reef.

The SS United States is to leave its south Philadelphia port Friday for Alabama, en route to becoming an artificial reef off the Florida coast.

The historic ocean liner SS United States, whose fate had been in limbo for years, will begin its transition into the world's largest sunken artificial reef beginning this week in Philadelphia, its owner says.

The departure date of the historic SS United States from Philadelphia to Alabama has been delayed. The storied ocean liner was scheduled to leave Philadelphia on Thursday, Nov. 14, and embark on a two-week journey to undergo preparations for it to become the world’s largest artificial reef.