WASHINGTON, D.C.–A bill has been filed in Congress to impose new regulations on amphibious vehicles like the “duck boat” that sank in Missouri two weeks ago, killing 17 people–including nine members of a family from Indianapolis.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) is proposing that the boats be equipped to remain buoyant when swamped, that they get more frequent inspections and that the canopies be removed.
“There’s inherent dangers i n these amphibious vehicles,” said McCaskill. “How do we know this? Because it’s been investigated before.”
A state representative from southern Missouri warned other legislators against drafting new regulations until more is known about the Branson incident. McCaskill said there is no reason to wait; some of her proposals were first recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board in 2002.
The NTSB presented its plan after investigating a duck boat incident that killed 13 people in Arkansas.
PHOTO: CNN Newsource
