More trouble for the Duck Boat.

[coobie]

People are attracted to stupid things. The more outlandish and stupid, the better. It never ceases to amaze me what people will spend their money on.

Things are rarely as clear cut as this matter.

We call them sheep in this neck of the woods..

 

[/pine]

People are attracted to stupid things. The more outlandish and stupid, the better. It never ceases to amaze me what people will spend their money on.

Things are rarely as clear cut as this matter.

A perfect example of this is the popularity of a plethora of (mostly) cable TV and radio shows that feature personalities that have no apparent natural talent...not to mention the "P" word thread...

 

[MossRoad]

I enjoy the duck rides whenever we take them. Where else are you gonna get a tour on land and water without changing vehicles. In Pittsburgh, they take you all over downtown, point out the history, the architecture, the sports stadiums, night-life locations, etc.... then they drive down to the river, splash in, then see the skyline from the water, take you past the submarine that's docked there, the confluence of the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers that meet to form the Ohio river, the many bridges (Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world), the inclines up the hill, etc.... then back up on land and back to the depot.

If you like sightseeing, it really is a fun thing to do.

 

[goeduck]

Ride the Duck owners in this case are sitting ducks as they should be after ignoring all weather reports. Fried duck? Cooked duck? What would be the correct term?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I used to take people on a tour of our place in the ARGO and then make an unexpected turn into the pond. Took people by surprise. Sometimes the speed and angle of approach was a little much causing a wave of water to come in the front vents which took me by surprise.

 

[Liquidsilver]

Well, yeah. You drive around the Ozark hills on some back roads once you get out of town, and some private roads behind remote control gates, and then drive into the lake where all the kids get a turn at driving the "boat" all the while the captain is telling you stories about what you are seeing and the history of the "ducks" and then you drive back into town and unload at their ticket office. It is all supposed to be fun and unique, with drowning not part of the package tour. Part of the allure is that while most people have been on buses and boats, not many have been on a big old bus that can just drive into a lake, and propeller around for a while like a boat then drive right out of the water and go back to town. Part of the fun for the children is the run down the boat ramp and the big splash as you hit the water.

This is a really accurate description of the whole thing. Thank you.

And... I'm sorry, but I'm getting kinda sick of all the hate for the 'Duck Boats thing.'

You may think it's stupid and pointless... and it's easy to insult people that have ridden them and had fun, but my family had a lot of fun on the silly things and I'm really sorry this all happened... but I don't see any point to the hate of the operation. I could INCLUDE my elderly parents and small children on the same activity and everybody smiled and had good memories. Say what you will about how lame the ride is, but I race motorcycles, bicycles, fly helicopters, hunting, shooting, jogging/running, cross country motorcycling... love working on my ranch and my tractor... and I still managed to have a fun time on the silly duck boat rides, so for whatever that's worth...

This last 'hot news' story is that the boats weren't rated for any wind or waves. Thanks, we got it. Now they have video that there was no wind or waves when they splashed in. Yes the forecast was crazy, but it happened as an 'unfathomable incidence.' (FAA term) When that weather hit, the ducks made best possible speed to return to land... still okay in my book. But (in my opinion) the fact remains: 100-percent of the fatalities in this tragedy were caused by the driver's failure to order everyone into life preservers when the weather hit. I'm a pilot and I've had to watch footage of other pilots making their last mistakes... and with 30-some people on your craft, YOU are responsible.

Is it wrong to have 30-some souls on a craft subject to the judgement of one pilot? That's the question.

I AM surprised that the federal and state authorities would allow any craft to take passengers on water if it would sink when swamped... but if I could have my mom and dad back on this side of heaven and my kids and now grandkids all in one place, I'd take 'em on a duck boat ride in a heartbeat. Yes, I might make them put on floatation.

Sorry if that sounds ranty, but I just feel like everybody is throwing feces after the incident... and I wanted to say that....

 

[Molalla1]

This is a really accurate description of the whole thing. Thank you.

And... I'm sorry, but I'm getting kinda sick of all the hate for the 'Duck Boats thing.'

You may think it's stupid and pointless... and it's easy to insult people that have ridden them and had fun, but my family had a lot of fun on the silly things and I'm really sorry this all happened... but I don't see any point to the hate of the operation. I could INCLUDE my elderly parents and small children on the same activity and everybody smiled and had good memories. Say what you will about how lame the ride is, but I race motorcycles, bicycles, fly helicopters, hunting, shooting, jogging/running, cross country motorcycling... love working on my ranch and my tractor... and I still managed to have a fun time on the silly duck boat rides, so for whatever that's worth...

This last 'hot news' story is that the boats weren't rated for any wind or waves. Thanks, we got it. Now they have video that there was no wind or waves when they splashed in. Yes the forecast was crazy, but it happened as an 'unfathomable incidence.' (FAA term) When that weather hit, the ducks made best possible speed to return to land... still okay in my book. But (in my opinion) the fact remains: 100-percent of the fatalities in this tragedy were caused by the driver's failure to order everyone into life preservers when the weather hit. I'm a pilot and I've had to watch footage of other pilots making their last mistakes... and with 30-some people on your craft, YOU are responsible.

Is it wrong to have 30-some souls on a craft subject to the judgement of one pilot? That's the question.

I AM surprised that the federal and state authorities would allow any craft to take passengers on water if it would sink when swamped... but if I could have my mom and dad back on this side of heaven and my kids and now grandkids all in one place, I'd take 'em on a duck boat ride in a heartbeat. Yes, I might make them put on floatation.

Sorry if that sounds ranty, but I just feel like everybody is throwing feces after the incident... and I wanted to say that....

Thoughtful post. . . :thumbsup:

 

[/pine]

Just because an individual is capable of obtaining a license to operate/pilot a vessel, plane or vehicle (for hire or otherwise)...does not make them exceptionally intelligent...or instill a sense of precaution based on forecasts or observations...!

There is no profession that is free of stupidity...

 

[PILOON]

Ride the Duck owners in this case are sitting ducks as they should be after ignoring all weather reports. Fried duck? Cooked duck? What would be the correct term?

Actually in this case their goose is cooked.

 

[Sigarms]

This last 'hot news' story is that the boats weren't rated for any wind or waves. Thanks, we got it. Now they have video that there was no wind or waves when they splashed in. Yes the forecast was crazy, but it happened as an 'unfathomable incidence.' (FAA term) When that weather hit, the ducks made best possible speed to return to land... still okay in my book. But (in my opinion) the fact remains: 100-percent of the fatalities in this tragedy were caused by the driver's failure to order everyone into life preservers when the weather hit. I'm a pilot and I've had to watch footage of other pilots making their last mistakes... and with 30-some people on your craft, YOU are responsible.

If I was on that boat, the life jackets would of been handed out to at least my own family members. I wouldn't give a ratts butt what the "captain" ordered me to do.