London Duck

[harryesd]

Another London duck disaster, caught fire this time.

[matt h]

Oh no. That'l be the end of them then. What a shame!totally quackers. Guess there will be some cheap DUKW parts going cheap cheap!

[gennaro]

I assume this is to what you refer:

Seven people being treated for smoke inhalation and two taken to hospital with minor injuries after a tour boat caught fire on the Thames

Thames Duck Boat Fire: 30 Pulled From River

[John Kennett]

We were on the London Eye about midday and could see the fire boat doing something around one of the London Ducks. It was too far off to see clearly, but now I know what was going on!

[C2 RIBS]

Thirty people jump into the Thames after Duck Boat sets on fire and starts sinking near Houses of Parliament | Mail Online shows Thames RIBs coming to aid

[John Kennett]

Some nice pictures for the RIBcraft web site!

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Liverpool ducks died a death a few months back after one sunk. End if an era I feel.

[lakelandterrier]

Originally Posted by harryesd

Another London duck disaster, caught fire this time.

I wasn't aware there had been previous London Duck "disasters". I know the Liverpool operation has a number of problems.

I went on one of these tours last year - though it was pretty good.

Main thing, all safely accounted for and very good reaction by other operators and emergency services from the look of it.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I wasn't aware there had been previous London Duck "disasters". I know the Liverpool operation has a number of problems.

According to the Mirror (so must be right!!) they had a fire on the same vessel 5 weeks ago, but I suspect its been mixed up with Liverpool in reality.

[lakelandterrier]

Originally Posted by matt h

Guess there will be some cheap DUKW parts going cheap cheap!

No, Quack Quack - if they were going Cheep they'd be knock-offs!

[spartacus]

They're not fit for purpose. Pull the plug on them (no pun intended) before someone is injured or killed.

[nikster]

Is it just me or was the first and closest rib - very slow in actually responding or getting to the scene?

I do think however that the DUKW skipper did the right thing and immediately sensing a problem headed for the closest riverbank and as good as grounded it - so pax only needed to get a little wet and cold - - rather than drift off mid river.....

I do expect tho that MCA / LRA will say enough and call time?

The exceptional news in any case is just cold and wet people rather than injuries or worse.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by nikster

Is it just me or was the first and closest rib - very slow in actually responding or getting to the scene?

Not sure which video you've watched. The video's I've seen the Yellow Ribs appear to have been responding rather than passing and taking time to spot a problem.

Cautious in approaching but there are people jumping into the water so he needs to make sure he's not gonna chew anyone up.

If its not that RIB then there is certainly a possibility that a passing vessel would first have been communicating with someone (CG, PLA etc) to get further assistance. Hitting the gas at that point will only make Comms difficult...

[thomas]

Originally Posted by spartacus

They're not fit for purpose. Pull the plug on them (no pun intended) before someone is injured or killed.

Lets ground all the old Spitfires and Lancasters while we're at it plus all the old bangers that break down every September on their way to Goodwood???

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by thomas

Lets ground all the old Spitfires and Lancasters while we're at it plus all the old bangers that break down every September on their way to Goodwood???

The slight difference is no-one's using a lancaster as a tourist flight...

[thomas]

Bad example, though you can get a ride in a Tiger Moth or a Stomp and old aircraft are often displayed and could crash and kill members of the public. There are plenty of vintage forms of transport that many people enjoy, take away the passengers and they rot away.

[rigi36]

we have the following two incidents as well

Marine Accident Investigation: Mistress Quickly

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources...r_Beatrice.pdf

[hobbit555]

Originally Posted by thomas

Lets ground all the old Spitfires and Lancasters while we're at it plus all the old bangers that break down every September on their way to Goodwood???

And cruise ships and for that matter Ribs as these have actually killed people where as these amphibious vehicles have had a full compliment of survivors from the incidents.

[lakelandterrier]

This could be a tricky one.
The DUKW is a 70 year old piece of machinery- which will give rise to mechanical / engineering problems.

It is also an absolutely fantastic piece of engineering that cheaply solved a major logistic problem in WW2, and has been copied over time (e.g. Stalwart).

Is it a safe mode of water transport today? Well I was happy to take my family on it last year for a very different view of London, and the experience of driving in /out of the Thames as fantastic....although the lack of freeboard did give me a slight concern. - needlessly!

I think the solution is in proven maintenance -which my all my LGV vehicles have to go through and be 100% auditable. This is not cheap but is the price to pay for operating any vehicles - or boat - as I'm sure the trade members will agree is vital.

Let's not prejudge this - I would be very sorry to see the DUKW not live on in any guise through this incident. Will be interesting to see what MAIB make of this one.

[DouglasM]

Looks like Thames Rib Experience ribs standing by ... so all credit to them (I have no connection etc.)