Doomed Missouri duck boat set out in near-hurricane winds: NTSB

[mystery-ak]

Doomed Missouri duck boat set out in near-hurricane winds: NTSB

By Paulina Dedaj | Fox News

The early investigation into what caused a tour boat in Missouri to capsize Thursday, killing 17, has found that the vessel set out despite winds approaching hurricane force, according to a National Transportation Safety Board official.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member Earl Weener spoke at a press conference Saturday evening about the details of the investigation so far, and the factors that may have contributed to the vessel turning over.

The most alarming information gather by the NTSB seems to relate to the weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Weener said that there were recorded anemometer readings of 73 mph. To put this in context, he said hurricane-force winds are thought to begin at about 75 mph. Based on recordings from witnesses, Weener also estimated that waves were around four feet, with a possibility of six foot crests.

more
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/07/21/doomed-missouri-duck-boat-set-out-in-near-hurricane-winds-ntsb.html

[Right_in_Virginia]

So, are the owners of this franchise liable?

[Free Vulcan]

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said that the duck boat set out in near-hurricane winds. It has been updated to say the boat faced those conditions while already out on the lake.

[dfwgator]

Somebody's getting sued.

[mountaineer]

Somebody's getting sued.

Like I said elsewhere, every sleazeball plaintiffs' attorney in St. Louis and Kansas City already has landed in Branson and is soliciting clients.

[truth_seeker]

My father, my two brothers and I once had four boats between us. Harbors, open ocean and lakes.

While we were not always perfect, kids would wear life jackets.

I remember once sailing in the harbor with my brother, and the winds came up in a storm without warning. We flew from one end to the other of the harbor, barely tied off om my mooring. Soaking wet. We later sat in a coffee show just grinning and laughing, at the thrill of it.   

[Smokin Joe]

My father, my two brothers and I once had four boats between us. Harbors, open ocean and lakes.

While we were not always perfect, kids would wear life jackets.

I remember once sailing in the harbor with my brother, and the winds came up in a storm without warning. We flew from one end to the other of the harbor, barely tied off om my mooring. Soaking wet. We later sat in a coffee show just grinning and laughing, at the thrill of it.

A friend an I ferried a 14 foot boat in onshore winds on the Potomac (9 miles wide there). It took three hours and a lot of bailing (the bilge pump could not keep up) to go 4 miles in six foot plus waves. Quite an experience, and one I would not want to repeat. We mainly kept bow-on to the waves, and let the longshore drift carry us toward where we wanted to go.

[Applewood]

So, are the owners of this franchise liable?

Is the Pope Catholic? 

The owner all but admitted liability. 

[dfwgator]

Is the Pope Catholic? 

 

Is that a trick question?

[Applewood]

Is that a trick question?

Well, I'm not so sure, come to think of it.