S. Florida duck boat owners say safety comes first
After 17 drowned Thursday when fierce winds capsized a duck boat on a Missouri lake, local heads have turned toward similar South Florida tours. Could it happen here?
The sightseeing landand-sea vessels operate in West Palm Beach and Miami’s South Beach. Fort Lauderdale’s version closed down in early 2016. It launched into the Intracoastal Waterway and could be seen traversing Las Olas Boulevard with a chipper tour guide, microphone in hand, pointing out landmarks and who’s who among waterfront homeowners.
The owner of Diva Duck Amphibious Tours in West Palm Beach says his 16-year-old business has “a stellar safety record,” uses modern equipment and practices no-risk protocols.
“Even though our vessels have been deemed unsinkable, we never take chances with weather,” Diva’s owner, Paul Brewer, said Friday. “We operate with the safety and comfort of our guests and crew foremost in our minds.”
The precautions Diva Duck take include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, modern vehicles designed specifically for tourism rather than the ones manufactured for military use during World War II, and a weather radar app used before and during tours, Brewer said.
Owners of Duck ToursSouth Beach could not be reached for comment Friday. According to the company’s website, the tours are “very safe” for children of all ages and pregnant women and cruise rain or shine.
“The only condition that would not allow the tour to be conducted would be a heavy thunderstorm,” the website said.
Duck boats have been involved in several serious accidents throughout the nation over the years. More than 40 people have died in such accidents since 1999.
When the Missouri duck boat capsized on Table Rock Lake, winds were blowing up to 65 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The boats, named for their ability to travel on land and water, were originally designed to transport troops and supplies in World War II. They were later modified for use as sightseeing vehicles. Variants of the tours can be found in Boston, Seattle, Toronto, Guam and elsewhere.
The “unsinkable” Hydra Terra vessels used by Diva Duck are “designed and manufactured specifically for tourism with safety as its No. 1 priority,” Brewer said.
The manufacturer touts its use of a “patented flotation foam” approved by the Coast Guard.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, all vessels carrying seven or more passengers on federally navigable waterways are required to be inspected by the agency. Likewise, all vessels required to be inspected must be operated by captains licensed by the Coast Guard.