More trouble for the Duck Boat.

[Frankenkubota]

I never road the Ducks at the WI Dells because they had regular boat rides available. Why would a person choose to be on the water riding a boat-anchor-truck-toon?

the guy let me drive the duck boat at the dells, i was maybe 7-8, back in the 50s.

 

[MossRoad]

the guy let me drive the duck boat at the dells, i was maybe 7-8, back in the 50s.

Yeah, our kids got to drive them in the Dells. Pittsburg has duck boat rides as well. A couple years ago we went on one and they let the little kids drive them. Man, the people on the streets were shocked!

 

[dragoneggs]

Growing up I thought the Duck boats were only in Seattle. When I learned they were all over as tourist attractions it sort burst my bubble.

 

[lman]

Growing up I thought the Duck boats were only in Seattle. When I learned they were all over as tourist attractions it sort burst my bubble.

That's funny. I thought they were only at the Wisconsin Dells.

 

[ArlyA]

And they were a very important tool among the many that WWII was won with*.

*sorry if someone already said that.

 

[MossRoad]

That's funny. I thought they were only at the Wisconsin Dells.

Those were the first ones, back in the 40's. Hence, the Original Wisconsin Ducks.

 

[MossRoad]

The duck boat company in Pittsburgh closed mid-season after that accident in MO, and ended up closing permanently. They auctioned off all of their assets. They said despite getting annual coast guard inspections, never having any accidents or incidents, etc... their insurance went up 120% after the MO incident, and they could no longer afford to stay in business. Sad, as it was a fun thing to do. They'd take you on a tour through downtown, and then out into the rivers and back. Great fun. Sorry to see it go.

 

[k0ua]

The duck boat company in Pittsburgh closed mid-season after that accident in MO, and ended up closing permanently. They auctioned off all of their assets. They said despite getting annual coast guard inspections, never having any accidents or incidents, etc... their insurance went up 120% after the MO incident, and they could no longer afford to stay in business. Sad, as it was a fun thing to do. They'd take you on a tour through downtown, and then out into the rivers and back. Great fun. Sorry to see it go.

One accident ruined it for everyone. Of course they are long gone here in Branson. If only the operators had not let their greed override their sense of duty to bring everyone home safely. One of the duck boats did make it safely back to shore in the storm, and one didn't. Maybe luck of the draw or maybe skill and seamanship of the driver.

But they never should have went out that day, Anyone that was paying any attention to the weather forecast, and they were, would have known. And they did know. This is proven by their decision to do the water portion of the tour first to try to beat the storm. They just could not stomach refunding the passengers money and canceling for the day. So many airline and boating disasters are caused by these forces of greed and "get there itis" vs. the weather.

 

[MoKelly]

So many airline and boating disasters are caused by these forces of greed and "get there itis" vs. the weather.

This is so true.

When I managed our company planes, we had a policy that the Pilot (and no one else - no matter how much of a big shot) had final say whether to take off or not. Only the pilot.

Worked well. But - one time a subsidiary group were in the Bahamas. Ready to leave. Bad weather. The highest ranking guy there wanted to leave. The pilot said it’s too dangerous. Pilot said No. Big shot calls me. Sorry - policy is pilot makes the call. No exceptions.

Shortly after, another corporate jet takes off and has to return within 15 minutes due to being hit by lightning. All were ok but my goodness. Chill. It was the Bahamas for goodness sakes.

MoKelly

 

[MossRoad]

Reminds me of a time back in the 80's I was sent to refuel an Air Wisconsin plane. I parked the truck next to the plane and grounded it. I saw lighting and counted to 10 before the thunder arrived, so 2 miles out. I shut off the truck and walked into the terminal (you could to that back then) to wait out the lighting. The pilot walks up and asks why I'm not fueling the plane? I say the lighting is too close. He rolls his eyes and calls me an expletive questioning my manhood and says he'd fuel the plane himself. I say OK, have fun. He steps out the door, lighting strikes the control tower 1/4 mile away, he turns around and walks back inside. All the passengers start laughing at him. He shrugs his shoulders and says something about guessing we'll wait.