SS United States Conservancy to ask judge for more time to find a new home for the retired ocean liner

KYW Newsradio Audio On-Demand

The nonprofit that owns the SS United States will ask a judge Friday morning for more time to find a new home for the ocean liner. The boat was supposed to leave its South Philly pier by Thursday, but the SS United States Conservancy accuses the owner of the pier of blocking efforts to find the ship a new home.

According to court documents, the Conservancy says Penn Warehousing -- the owner of the pier -- blocked a contract with a county in Florida that expressed interest in buying the vessel. The county wanted to sink the ship off its coast and use it as an artificial reef.

Penn Warehousing blames the Florida county for breaking off negotiations.

The company is asking for a $3 million berthing fee to keep the ship at Pier 82.