Duckmarine sinks again

THERE is great concern about the safety of the yellow amphibious duckmarines that operate in the Liverpool docks, as a second one sank yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

There were 27 people on board, with them only having a very short time to escape as the craft sank very quickly in Salthouse Dock, resulting in them not being able to be rescued and thus clinging to the life buoys that had been thrown down.

Narrowboats came to the rescue

The narrowboat Predator and another narrowboat came to the rescue of the people in the water, pulling them onto their boats, and people on the walkways around the dock throwing life buoys for those struggling in the water.

The boats are now grounded, as this is the second time one has sunk,  (NbW—Duck that can't swim) with the last one sinking on the 1st April, though more slowly, with the boat managing to reach shore and all the passengers escaping, before it sank, as pictured.  At this time too, the 'vehicles' were grounded whilst an inspection was carried out, but were allowed to resume their water cruises.

All in the water

This time however the passengers were not so lucky, with all 21, including children, in the water, many of whom could not swim, with 18 taken to hospital for treatment, though all were subsequently discharged.

It is now expected that these obviously unsafe amphibious craft will be banned from entering the water, as they were the last time, but more likely permanently as they are obviously unsafe.