WATCH: SS United States arrives at Mobile port

MOBILE, Ala. (WEAR) — The SS United States arrived in the Port of Mobile around noon on Monday.

The ship began the journey to Mobile Bay around 6 a.m. From there, she made her way to the docks at Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) located on South Royal Street.

The docks and facilities are not open to the public.

The 990-foot ocean liner will undergo preparations to be sunk off the coast of Destin, Florida, to become the world's largest artificial reef. Crews will make sure it's environmentally safe, and that it will land upright underwater. That process is expected to take about a year.

"Okaloosa County will continue to partner with the SS United States Conservancy as it pivots to develop a land-based museum and visitor center in Destin-Fort Walton Beach that will celebrate and commemorate our nation’s flagship," the county stated. "The County will provide the Conservancy with regular ship updates and will support the Conservancy’s museum. This will preserve the SS United States’ storied history and the memories that she has created for so many people over the years."

Okaloosa County commissioners voted in October to buy the ship for $10 million. It's estimated that the economic benefit will be $3 million annually.