All her faded glory: part 2

I followed Dave up the stairs on to the deck of SS United States. The producer had asked if he could interview a few members of the project team, and he wanted to scout locations for those interviews. I kept him company while the camera crew switched out their gear.

As we emerged into the sunlight, I noticed the deck under my feet was a different color. Most of the deck on the ship was rusty red, but this outdoor patch was shiny silver. Aluminum. I paused. I had already drafted a schematic with all my planned sampling locations on the ship - was this aluminum deck included? If not, then it should be. I made a mental note to re-examine my sampling scheme when I got home and include the aluminum deck. 

Tim Mullane, COO of Colleen Marine, discussing his company's
mammoth task of preparing the ship for sinking. 

Dave shared his thoughts with me as we walked. "This would be a good angle," he commented. Then a few minutes later, "I like this light." I listened and provided feedback as much as I could, but Dave was the expert - and besides, my mind was a bit preoccupied. While Dave selected the setting for his IMAX film, I imagined myself underwater. What species would grow on the rusty bow? Did I want to sample the railing? Where could I attach recruitment panels? What structures did I not want to miss?

The camera crew rejoined us, along with Jennifer Adams, the Tourism Director for Okaloosa County. I had only ever met her on Zoom, and it was great to connect in person. After hugs and greetings were exchanged, the camera crew set up tripods, and Dave instructed Jennifer to sit on an anchor for her interview. For about 20 minutes, Dave asked her really thoughtful questions - he had clearly come prepared. 

Camera crew hard at work

We moved around the ship all together - the IMAX crew, the Okaloosa team, the contractor disassembling the ship, and me. Four interviews, four different spaces on the ship. It was fascinating to hear about the SS United States project from so many different perspectives. To Okaloosa County, the ship represents an economic investment in the region. Sink it, and they will come. To Colleen Marine, the ship is a massive, daunting project that requires utmost attention to detail. If you're going to sink it, sink it right. To me, the ship is a habitat and a once-in-a-lifetime natural experiment. The sinking is only the beginning.

Before long, the sun began to wane, and it was just me and the IMAX team left on the dock. The camera crew wanted one last shot of the ship before we packed our bags. Two hard cases emerged from the back of the rental van - a drone and its associated camera. The blades whirred to life, and a flurry of dust was kicked up as the drone took flight. The tiny black quad-copter disappeared behind the ship. While one of the cameramen flew the drone, the other operated the camera. Dave leaned over their shoulders to watch, then waved me over to take a look, too. The ship glowed in the evening light, reflecting all her faded glory. She was a sight to see in her day, and she is a sight to see now - just in a different way. Soon, SS United States will be an underwater mecca full of life. I cannot wait to dive and visit her. 

Photo by Dave Clark.