Investigators are trying to determine if any of the boats received the fix.
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The Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission met in a rare emergency session.
The Duck involved in the crash, identified by the Coast Guard as Duck No. 6, was built in 1945 and last refurbished in 2005, Weener said.
After hearing testimony that Ride the Ducks had not repaired an axle as recommended, the commission said it would file a complaint against the business.
“Our action today is necessary”, UTC Chairman David Danner said, “to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare”.
The suspension is effective immediately pending investigation and inspection of Ride the Ducks’ entire fleet of vehicles and drivers, according to a state news release.
The National Transportation Safety Board revealed that Ride the Ducks global sent a service bulletin in 2013 to duck franchises across the country, including here in Seattle, recommending the important repairs.
The federal probe is expected to take months.
The NTSB’s finding came as medical authorities said that a 5th foreign student injured in the crash died on Sunday. Like the other four victims, she was an worldwide student at North Seattle College.
More than 50 people were taken to hospitals. At least 13 remained hospitalized Sunday.
A representative of the Seattle duck tour company said he did not have any immediate comment on the NTSB’s account.
Even before Monday, Ride the Ducks of Seattle vehicles had already stopped rolling.
Brian Tracey, who heads the company that operates the duck boat, said late Sunday that he was aware of the assessment.
“We need to verify that and understand what it means”, said Pratt.
The AP noted that these vehicles are used for tours all over the world, in such cities as Philadelphia; Austin, Texas; Miami; Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and London.
The move Monday follows last week’s deadly crash involving one of the company’s amphibious vehicles. In 2005, it was refurbished with a General Motors engine and chassis.
Ride the Ducks worldwide refurbished the duck boat in 2005.
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“Out of respect for the victims”, the company said on its website, “we have temporarily suspended operations, while we also focus on assisting those leading this investigation”.
