An amphibious tourist bus sank in Liverpool’s Albert Dock today. All 31 aboard the Yellow Duckmarine tour boat were rescued and no serious injuries were reported. Seventeen passengers were admitted to the hospital but have since been discharged. The youngest passenger was only 2 years old. This is the second sinking Yellow Duckmarine tour boat in the last three months. The previous sinking, in March, was of a tour boat without passengers aboard. Last May, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip took a ride on the Yellow Duck during a visit to Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Old Salt Blog
a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist Rick Spilman
We’ve had similar tours here in Galveston for years. They began not long before the 1999 sinking of one in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I’m up for a boat trip anytime, anywhere, but not a duck.
I like the ducks. My family and I took a trip on one in Boston. I felt more at risk in Boston land-based traffic than I did on the water. Overall their safety record has not been bad. The Hot Springs sinking was pure negligence on the part of the operator. Safety standards have been significantly improved since then and most Duck boats are inspected on this side of the pond.
The fact the Queens ride on the Liverpool duck boat was preceded and followed by a boat sinking is a bit extraordinary.