Exploring Branson Mo: Duck Boat Canopy Operations

On July 19, 2018, a duck boat operated by Ripley Entertainment sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, killing 17 people. The boat, known as Stretch Duck 07, departed at 7 pm and the first 911 call about the sinking came in at 7:09 pm. The boat had a canopy that trapped people inside, and survivors said that the captain lowered a window covering, hindering escape. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the older-style duck boats lacked reserve buoyancy and that the canopies trapped people when the vessels sank. Legislation has since been introduced to address these safety concerns, and a new duck boat company in Branson has introduced a vessel with improved safety features.

The Branson Duck Boat tragedy of 2018 killed 17 people

On July 19, 2018, a duck boat operated by Ride the Ducks, known as Stretch Duck 7, sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, killing 17 people. The amphibious vessel, with 31 people on board, capsized during a severe thunderstorm, resulting in one of the deadliest duck boat accidents in American history.

The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. when the area was hit by high winds and severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service had issued a warning for the lake approximately an hour before the accident, but the boat still launched over 20 minutes after the warning. When the boat began to take on water, it quickly sank, trapping passengers inside due to its canopy-like coverage.

Survivors reported that the captain did not instruct passengers to wear life vests and had lowered a window covering, hindering escape attempts. The life vests, which were not mandatory for duck boats, were left tangled in the canopy, unused.

The tragedy led to questions about the decisions made that night, including why weather warnings were ignored and who made the final call to take the boat out. The captain of the Duck Boat, Kenneth Scott McKee, was charged with 17 counts of involuntary manslaughter and 12 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Two supervisors from Ripley Entertainment, the company operating the tours, were also charged with 17 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had previously warned about the dangers posed by the design of duck boats, specifically the overhead canopies that can trap passengers during sinking. Despite these warnings, the Coast Guard had failed to implement recommended safety measures, which could have potentially prevented the tragedy.

The canopy trapped people inside when the boat capsized

The canopy played a significant role in trapping people inside the capsized duck boat, hindered their escape. The boat's structure, with its canopy-like coverage, created a deadly snare, making it extremely difficult for passengers to get out. The combination of the canopy and life jackets forced people down, preventing them from reaching the surface.

Survivors of the tragedy recounted that before the ride, the captain lowered a window covering, further impeding their escape when the boat capsized. The presence of the canopy and closed windows created a confined space, intensifying the panic and struggle to escape.

The design of the duck boat, with its canopy, has been a longstanding concern raised by regulators and safety advocates. As early as 1999, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended the removal of canopies from duck boats following a similar incident in Arkansas, where 13 people lost their lives. Despite these warnings, the industry failed to adequately address the issue, prioritizing tourism and profitability over safety.

The canopy, intended to provide protection from the elements, became a tragic irony as it ensnared those it was meant to shelter. The trapped passengers, unable to escape, faced a dire situation as the boat rapidly sank.

The duck boat tragedy in Branson, Missouri, brought to light the inherent dangers of these vessels, particularly the presence of canopies. The canopy, coupled with other factors such as high winds and rough waters, contributed to the tragic loss of 17 lives. The aftermath of this incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter safety regulations and the removal of canopies from duck boats to prevent future casualties.

The duck boat company was warned about design flaws before the accident

On July 19, 2018, a Branson Ride The Ducks tourist boat sank on Table Rock Lake, killing 17 people out of 31 onboard. The boat sank due to severe weather conditions on the lake. The incident brought up questions about the decisions that led to the tragedy.

The duck boat company, Ripley Entertainment, was warned about design flaws that could lead to their watercraft sinking in bad weather. Steve Paul, owner of the Test Drive Technologies inspection service, issued a written report in August 2017, explaining the potential failure of the boats' engines and pumps in rough weather. Paul also warned about the canopies on the boats, stating that they become "people catchers" during sinking, making it difficult for passengers to escape. Despite these warnings, Ripley Entertainment did not respond to the concerns.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had previously identified two major flaws with the older-style duck boats: lack of reserve buoyancy and the presence of the overhead canopy, which trapped people during sinking incidents. The industry's response to the NTSB's recommendations was disappointing, with companies citing the cost of engineering and installing additional flotation capacity.

The duck boat accident has led to ongoing legal proceedings, with the captain, general manager, and a manager of Ripley Entertainment facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. The company has also settled lawsuits with the families of the victims and survivors. The tragedy has also raised questions about the authority to keep boats off the lake during inclement weather and the safety regulations for duck boats.

There were questions about whether storm warnings were heeded

The sinking of the duck boat in Branson, Missouri, which killed 17 people, has raised questions about whether storm warnings were heeded. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the boat's operator, Ride the Ducks, failed to heed weather warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Table Rock Lake at 6:32 pm, about half an hour before the boat capsized. County dispatchers reiterated the warning six minutes later, stating the potential for damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Jim Pattison Jr., president of Ripley Entertainment, the parent company of Ride the Ducks, said he didn't know when the boat left the dock, but believed the weather was calm when it departed. He suggested that the storm came on suddenly, with strong winds "coming out of nowhere." However, weather experts and officials from the NWS and the Storm Prediction Center pointed out that there were warnings of an impending storm for hours before the boat departed. They emphasized that the radar clearly showed a large storm complex approaching the lake, and that multiple warnings were issued for neighboring areas.

The U.S. Coast Guard also acknowledged that the accident could have been avoided if they had acted on safety recommendations made after a similar tragedy in 1999. The NTSB found that Ride the Ducks did not effectively use all available weather information to assess the risk posed by the approaching severe weather. The company's failure to heed warnings and implement previous safety recommendations contributed to the tragedy.

Ripley Entertainment settled lawsuits with the families of victims and survivors

On July 19, 2018, a duck boat operated by Ripley Entertainment sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, killing 17 people. The boat had 31 people on board and sank during a severe thunderstorm. The incident raised questions about the decisions made that night, including why weather warnings were not heeded and why passengers were not instructed to wear life vests.

Ripley Entertainment, the parent company of the tourist attraction, settled lawsuits with the families of the victims and survivors of the incident. The company reported that it had settled or was in the process of settling more than half of the lawsuits it faced, including many involving the Coleman family, who lost nine members in the sinking. The terms of the settlements were kept confidential, with Ripley Entertainment stating that they were committed to working with the victims and families while respecting their privacy.

The duck boat incident led to criminal charges and prosecutions against several individuals and entities. The captain of the Duck Boat, Kenneth Scott McKee, faced 17 counts of involuntary manslaughter and 12 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The general manager, Curtis Lanham, and a manager, Charles Baltzell, were also charged with 17 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Ripley Entertainment itself faced federal charges, with three of its employees, including the captain, being indicted.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified two major flaws with the older-style duck boats: lack of reserve buoyancy and the presence of an overhead canopy that trapped people when the vessels sank. Legislation sponsored by Senator Josh Hawley was passed in the U.S. Senate, requiring duck boat operators to remove canopies from their vessels.

The incident and its aftermath highlighted the ongoing discussions and concerns regarding the safety of duck boats and the need for improved safety measures and regulations.

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