Ride the Ducks: Other tour companies complied with axle fix

Ride the Ducks’ parent company sounded the alarm in 2013 that all duck boats needed a fix to it’s left front axle, but investigators said the boat that crashed wasn’t fixed.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission’s decision is significant because it means an official agency is suspending Ride the Ducks of Seattle.

Brian Tracey, chief executive of Ride the Ducks of Seattle, said the Ducks would stay off the road until “we can demonstrate that our fleet is well-maintained, road-worthy and safe”.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission met in an emergency session to keep the repurposed military “duck boats” off the streets pending inspections and a review of driver and maintenance records.

Witnesses said the Duck boat appeared to have a problem with its left front tire.

Four worldwide college students died at the scene of the crash, and a fifth – identified as a 20-year-old woman – died Sunday, Harborview Medical Center said.

At least 16 people had been killed in accidents involving duck boats prior to last week’s tragedy.

A representative for Ride the Ducks of Seattle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The collision increased scrutiny on the duck boats, which carry tourists on historical tours and have been involved in a number of deadly crashes in recent years.

Tracey said the captains are certified by the Coast Guard and licensed as commercial drivers, and they are required to take continuing education once a month.

All of those killed were college students riding on the charter bus.

The AP noted that these vehicles are used for tours all over the world, in such cities as Philadelphia; Austin, Texas; Miami; Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and London.

There are new questions about the safety of Ride the Ducks and now the state has taken drastic action. The vehicle involved in the Seattle crash was an Army surplus craft built in 1945.

The NTSB had few details Sunday about the warning Ride the Ducks global issued. It was refurbished with a General Motors engine and chassis in 2005, Weener said.

It was not clear whether the Seattle franchise ever got the message, but the repairs were never made, the NTSB spokesman said. Investigators said the wheels may have locked, but it is “way too early to say anything about probable cause”, Weener said.