When Duck Boats are outlawed only outlaws will have Duck Boats
 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/11-killed-missouri-duck-boat-115542892.html

You won't get me on one of those things. Can't the NTSB, DOT, FAA, USCG or somebody sink all these things?

Some of our relatives died in a previous capsizing on that same lake in a duck boat about 15 years ago.

These things have been operating for 70 years with few issues. It should not have been taken out on the lake that day. It's kind of like operating a crane in high wind. Bad judgement on part of the operator.

How many pontoon party barges capsize every year on crappy days? I'd worry more about those things. -WW

Photos from a hotel room balcony on the lake.....Anyone with any sense, the operator and the passengers, should have not even thought of going out in this.

The basic design of the enclosed top is a death trap.

We lived on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs AR for 7 years and saw this happen more than once.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1532098745.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1532098765.jpg

Portland OR and Boston to name a few (and I would not hesitate to ride either of those boats), I have not heard of those locations having any problems.


I thought this thread was going to be about boats made for duck hunting. ;)

Our family went on one of those back in the early 1970's, antiques back then.

It was awesome, first the sand dunes, then Lake Michigan, and we went up one of the rivers for a while.

However, these craft should have been retired decades ago.

As one poster the comments section post said:

Would appear that there was more than one on the lake at that time.They used to be doing tours in VA.Beach years ago,looked like they were in need of some upkeep than!

These are not all "WWII Relics"

They have been building new ones for the past few years but apparently not under fed regs and safety codes. I remember reading not long ago that one was on the road full of passengers but the brakes were way inadequate for the weight and several people were killed when it crashed.

The news this morning went through about 10 crashes/sinking/accidents in the past 15 years

My understanding is the drive shaft seals on these things are normally the culprit - boat takes on water, etc... The canopy causes confusion and can trap folks trying to escape under water.

Recalling Arkansas Duck-boat tragedy from 1999, and the NTSB report - Philly

We had a big one a couple years back here in Seattle:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ride-the-ducks-to-pay-up-to-1-million-in-penalties-for-deadly-crash/

Two years ago a duck boat in Boston flattened a woman on a scooter.

This led to requirements that drivers could no longer narrate the tour as well the installation of cameras and proximity sensors.

I remember when that happened. The pilot of the tugboat was on his cell phone. He ended up in prison.

A few years later a woman crossing the street was hit and killed by a duck boat here. She may have been on a cell phone at the time. Either way, the duck boats were shut down after that.

I can't comment on Duck Boats since I have never seen one.

I can tell you that thunderstorms and frontal passages this time of year change the sea state of lakes dramatically...RKT's photos are a perfect illustration.

Here on the Potomac it can go from Lake Placid to the Bering Sea in a heart beat.

We had a 20 ft Party Barge when we lived on Lake Hamilton and would take visiting friends out for a cruise for an hour or two. My wife and I would constantly be doing a 360 check on the horizon for pop up thunder clouds.
One time we saw a big one forming fast and I turned the boat around and gunned it for home. Our friends were.... what's wrong, why are we in a hurry to go home? Just as we docked at our house lightening was striking close and pouring rain.
When on a boat you have to watch the weather.....and other boaters that are idiots!

9 family members among the 17 dead in Missouri duck boat accident

We actually rode this exact same Duck Boat experience during a family trip to Branson about 8 years ago. Fun but in hindsight considering the issues, probably wouldn’t do it again. It’s super sad because most of the victims were families on summer vacation.

As has already been stated numerous times, pretty horrible. It came up first thing on my news feed.
We've never done one (duck boat), but travel quit a bit with our kids and see them in many of our destinations. I dunno, maybe it seemed a bit too corny, although everyone looked to be having fun. Just lucky I guess, but we've certainly taken other risks, where you ASS-U-ME the folks running the excursion know what they're doing?!?!?.