The Ride the Ducks tourist boats will be closed while the investigation into the deadly boat capsizing on Table Rock Lake is under investigation, the company said Friday.
The boats have been a Branson fixture for about 40 years, and got new owners in December when it was sold to Ripley Entertainment.
On its website bransonducks.com, Ride the Ducks posted a statement on Friday about Thursday night's tragedy that left 17 people dead during stormy weather.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred at Ride The Ducks Branson. This incident has deeply affected all of us. Words cannot convey how profoundly our hearts are breaking.We will continue to do all we can to assist the families who were involved and the authorities as they continue with the search and rescue. The safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority. Ride the Ducks will be closed for business while we support the investigation, and to allow time to grieve for the families and the community. Thank you for your support, and we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with the families during this time."
Advertisements for the rides show photos and videos of passengers aboard the boats but not wearing life jackets. Sgt. Jason Pace of the Missouri Highway Patrol said state law requires that the vessels have one jacket for everyone on board and that the jackets be readily "accessible," not stowed under a seat.
This video from Ride the Ducks social media page about two years ago, for instance, shows a packed boat of tourists on a leisurely ride on calm waters. Not a single person featured in the video is wearing a life jacket.
When Ripley bought the atttraction, it said that Ride the Ducks was a "70-minute guided amphibious tour that takes guests through the scenic Ozarks on both land and water," a seasonal business that runs from March to November. The company operates 22 duck vehicles.
According to news reports tracing the history of the vehicles, the Duck _ or DUKW _ was developed by General Motors in 1942 to give the Allied forces an edge during World War II. The vehicles transported U.S. troops, equipment and supplies by land and sea. The vehicles had a hollow airtight body for buoyancy and a single propeller for forward momentum. They began being used in tourism in the 1950s.
