Boat Accidents

Several major publications are reporting that court records indicate that the deadly duck boats were designed decades ago by a businessman who had no engineering experience. The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today are among those reporting that the designer and entrepreneur, Robert F. McDowell, had completed only two years of college and "had no background, training or certification in mechanics...

The Ride the Ducks Branson company reportedly was warned about dangerous safety issues and design flaws nearly a year ago regarding its amphibious vessels, according to Fox News. It is being reported by Fox News that a mechanical inspector hired by owners of the company, Ripleys Entertainment based in Florida, hired a mechanical inspector to examine 24 duck boats that it was interested in buying...

Investigators updated the public and the media on its ongoing investigation into Thursday's July 19, 2018) tragic duck boat trip on Table Rock Lake that left 17 people dead and 14 more injured.National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member Earl Weener revealed on Saturday evening that a "black box," similar to that found on airplanes, had been located on the submerged duck boat and has been...

As more details emerge from the investigation into the duck boat that sank near Branson, Missouri, Thursday (July 19, 2018), experts are more carefully examining the weather conditions that day and any safety procedures that might have been followed on the amphibious vessel before leaving on its tourist run. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Table Rock Lake area...

A duck boat carrying 31 people sank in a storm while they were on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri, on the evening of Thursday, July 19th. The boat capsized then sunk to the bottom of the lake, killing 17 people on board, reportedly even small children. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating whether life jackets were on board and used. Investigators also...