17 dead after duck boat capsizes on Table Rock Lake

[redfan]

Terrible, terrible tragedy. Very sad to hear about this.

[ptlyon]

Irregardless, when the weather starts to get bad the captain should make it mandatory that life jackets are worn.

[Renegade]

I was on the lake less than 1 mile from where that happened. I was off the water 40 minutes before the storm hit. I was watching the clouds and paying attention to the Thunderstorm Warning on the mobile device. There is no way that boat should have been out. It did not come out of nowhere.

I also wonder once those ducks take on water, how hard would it be for the average person to escape through the opening between the seats and the roof.

[Prison Bitch]

One of the worst stories I've read in a long time

We were just at table rock a few weeks ago and talked about taking or boys on it

These stories really piss me off

[stumppy]

After watching the cell phone videos I'm surprised more people didn't drown.
It looks like it would be pretty damn hard to get everyone out in an emergency.

[gblowfish]

This same thing happened a couple years ago in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Lake Hamilton. My parents lived down there. They really cram people into those ducks. It's like being in a school bus with three to a seat. And the roof sits pretty low, so there is no easy way to get out, especially if the boat was sinking. Most of these boats are really old too, like 1950's old. When this happened in Hot Springs I don't think weather was a factor. But yeah, you'd think when things started looking rough that the boat captain would make for shore asap to either get tied up to a dock or get to a boat launch. 17 deaths is bad, having kids die is the worst part.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

This same thing happened a couple years ago in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Lake Hamilton. My parents lived down there. They really cram people into those ducks. It's like being in a school bus with three to a seat. And the roof sits pretty low, so there is no easy way to get out, especially if the boat was sinking. Most of these boats are really old too, like 1950's old. When this happened in Hot Springs I don't think weather was a factor. But yeah, you'd think when things started looking rough that the boat captain would make for shore asap to either get tied up to a dock or get to a boat launch. 17 deaths is bad, having kids die is the worst part.

The problem is these things are slow as shit in the water. And the rough water makes it really difficult to navigate.

[Molitoth]

Watching that video made my heart sink.

[Hoover]

I think the plastic windows - I assume they have seperate ducks for wet weather - saw them parked in the lot last week when I was down there - would make it very difficult to get out. Like front window or back. Thats it.

Plus they take pictures of every group that rides and do a group picture when they pull out. Will be interested to see where the people who made it out alive were seated.

[SAUTO]

****ing horrible

[Skyy God]

That is gonna be a litigation bonanza.

[Flying High D]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

That is gonna be a litigation bonanza.

Wouldn’t something be signed before getting a n relieving the company of any liability? Either that or there is signs, printed on the back of the ticket etc.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Flying High D

Wouldn’t something be signed before getting a n relieving the company of any liability? Either that or there is signs, printed on the back of the ticket etc.

Though I don't know for sure, this doesn't seem like the kind of business that would be able to get away with a liability waiver. Baseball game where balls are unpredictable? Sure. Outdoor sports where injuries are relatively common? Sure.

You don't go on a tour where you're expected do just sit there the entire time and expect an injury. If they could get away with a waiver, pretty much every form of public transit would be able to as well.

[dj56dt58]

Originally Posted by Flying High D

Wouldn’t something be signed before getting a n relieving the company of any liability? Either that or there is signs, printed on the back of the ticket etc.

I wouldn’t think that would matter in this case..this was pure negligence

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

I wouldn’t think that would matter in this case..this was pure negligence

Agree. Those Ducks stop before entering the water. They swithc drivers to a certified captain, and radio in for the all clear to enter the water. Something in that process broke down.