Interim rule steps up safety measures for duck boats

Salvage crews raise Stretch Duck 7 from Table Rock Lake in 2018 after a sinking that left 17 people dead. Legislation passed by Congress requires the Coast Guard to enact new safety rules for duck tour vessels

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has issued an interim rule as the first step to implement the statutorily mandated requirements for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels, commonly known as duck boats.

This statutory mandate was enacted after the sinking of Stretch Duck 7 on July 19, 2018, which resulted in the loss of 17 lives on Table Rock Lake, Mo. This interim rule requires additional safety measures for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels operating on navigable waters subject to Coast Guard jurisdiction.

This interim rule is effective immediately and operators will have 120 days from the date of publication to comply with the requirements. Interested persons are invited to submit comments and related material on or before Dec. 11, 2023. You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG–2023–0243 using the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.

– Coast Guard Maritime Commons

Salvage crews raise Stretch Duck 7 from Table Rock Lake in 2018 after a sinking that left 17 people dead. Legislation passed by Congress requires the Coast Guard to enact new safety rules for duck tour vessels
Salvage crews raise Stretch Duck 7 from Table Rock Lake in 2018 after the boat capsized in a storm, leaving 17 people dead. U.S. Coast Guard photo
By Professional Mariner Staff