Duck boats dry-docked

This item appears on page 4 of the December 2013 issue.

Two of the  amphibious DUKW (Duck)boats used for land-and-water tours in London and Liverpool have been temporarily banned after accidents put passengers at risk during the boating part of the excursion. 

No passengers or crew were injured when one of the Liverpool boats sank or when another caught fire in London. Investigations pointed to problems with the foam used to improve buoyancy.

London Duck Tours is cooperating with investigators and has contracted the water portion of their tours to regular boat companies.