It is pretty much over for the SS United States. Even if they raise the half a million, I don’t see anybody accepting what is frankly a major liability. In any event, the ship must be gone from Philadelphia by September 12th.
So the question is whether it will be scuttled to become an artificial reef or towed to Brownsville, Texas for breaking.
The SS United States still retains the Blue Riband and very likely will retain it for eternity, as it is very unlikely any passenger liner capable of high speed will be built in the future.