The National Transportation Safety Board said Sunday the boat did not have an axle fix that was recommended in 2013 by the company that refurbishes the vehicles. Investigators said the wheels may have locked, but it is “way too early to say anything about probable cause”, Weener said.
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The accident occurred as the duck boat, with more than 30 tourists aboard, crossed the six-lane Aurora bridge, which connects downtown Seattle and the Fremont neighborhood.
“We’ve had a bad loss of life, and there are awful injuries”, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said.
Ride the Ducks of Seattle has kept its fleet idle since the crash, and the commission is seeking to prevent the company from resuming operations until inspections are complete.
“Because of the possibility of continuing safety problems and a current lack of confidence surrounding the company’s operations, we believe it is important to act immediately to protect the public safety”, commission chairman David Danner said.
State inspectors plan to conduct a thorough examination of each of the Duck vehicles – a process that could take a couple of weeks. Her name has not been released, but she was an worldwide student attending North Seattle College. Four students died at the scene, and more than 50 people were taken to hospitals. At least 13 remained hospitalized Sunday. The NTSB expects to speak with the drivers of both vehicles involved next week.
The NTSB had few details about the warning Ride the Ducks global issued. It wasn’t clear what prompted the warning or how the potential failure was discovered, or whether it applied to all duck boats or only those that the company had refurbished, he said.
It was not clear whether the Seattle franchise ever got the message, but the repairs were never made, he said.
Results of the federal investigation are not expected for a year, he said. Investigators have interviewed 11 surviving passengers, including eight who were on the duck, as well as first responders.
Ride the Ducks operates in eight USA cities and expanded to Seattle in 1997. The NTSB said last week that the vehicle’s left-front axle was “sheared off” in the accident.
A DUKW or duck boat is a vehicle that can be driven on roads and then transform into a boat when in water.
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The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), which regulates commercial motor carriers, said Sunday that it would inspect all Seattle Duck vehicles and driver records.
