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IN one of the more unusual call-outs for a breakdown recovery firm, Quacker One is unceremoniously hauled out of Salthouse Dock after capsizing with 31 day trippers on board, including a two-year-old.
Twenty-seven people were treated at the Royal following the sinking of the Yellow Duckmarine on Saturday afternoon. All were later discharged.
The near-disaster quickly made for national headlines and brought part of Liverpool city centre to a standstill as dozens of ambulances, police, fire and Coastguard vehicles dashed to the Albert Dock complex.
With sighs of relief all round, it nevertheless places a huge question mark over the tourist attraction and the company which operates the vessels, Pearlwild Ltd.
It is the second time one of the World War II amphibious vessels has met a watery end. All four Yellow Duckmarines were banned from going into water after one sank and passengers had to be moved on to a pontoon on 31 March.
In May, three of the vehicles were declared safe to take to the water again.
Quacker 1
According to reports, Pearlwide faces a separate investigation by the North West Traffic Commissioner, with a public inquiry set to be held later this month.
A spokesperson for Yellow Duckmarine said: “Following the incident involving Quacker 1, we are working closely with our regulatory body, The Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Merseyside Police.
"The craft involved in the incident holds a valid passenger carrying certificate.
"The craft has now been recovered and following consultation with MCA it has been taken to a place of safe and secure storage in-order-that a full investigation can take place. That will continue tomorrow morning.
Our team followed their emergency response procedure, ensuring the safe disembarkation of passengers on board. We were aided in this regard by a number of canal boat owners berthed in Salthouse Dock to whom we would like to express our thanks. We would also like to express our thanks to the emergency services and the Albert Dock Security team onsite for their immediate and exemplary response.
We will continue to provide full cooperation with MCA and Merseyside Police.
We are pleased that all of the passengers who were taken to hospital as a precaution, have now been released.”
A Merseyside Police spokesman added: "A multi-agency investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing."
Pics by Dave The Pap and Liverpool Confidential
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It doesn't surprise me that it capsized. The DUKW wasn't designed to have all that high. heavy roofwork bolted on; no wonder they are top-heavy
It didn't capsize.
That's what I read on the Echo or BBC website when it happened. I assumed these to be objective sources of accurate reportage. I am SO sorry. I shall go and open my veins.
Thank you for you consideration
It is just so heartbreaking that this did not happen when the Queen, The Mayor and other hangers on were on board the very same vehicle a couple of months ago. Oh for the sight of Her Majesty using Joe as a makeshit raft, and the two of them drenched being hauled out of the dock. Life can be so unfair.
hahaha !!
We all live in a yellow submarine. I'm tyred of clichés.
Shred or dead
It didn't take long for the Mayor to state the obvious. Yes Joe we all agree the Duck Tours should be cancelled or done away with. I don't know what we did before we had Uncle Joe stating the 'bleeding' obvious! Duuuuuhhhh!
The prices were extortionate, so maybe whatever replaces it could try to give better value!
Maybe they should be "sub"sidised?
don't they accept bus passes?
Bring your own Mae West
Bring back the Amphicar!
Though the Amphicar, like the DUKW, was not designed for prolonged us in corrosive salt water.
Why do they have to drive into the water any way? Just tour around the city let them get off at the Albert Dock and just push them in.
They drive into the water because they are "amphibious craft"...that is what they were designed for!! London, on the South Bank have the same DUKW's, they call theirs "The Frogs"...and all have been renovated and maintained, as a tourist attraction. I went on it in 1998, and suggested that it would be ideal for Liverpool! They were an incredible innovation, during the War....and should be maintained as such!!
John Bradley...things may NOT have been built to last....in your opinion!!! BUT there ways and means "Nowadays"...to keep such excellent engineering, alive!! If we all listened to you....we would not have the TWO MERSEY TUNNELS!!
What planet are you on? I think you'll find the tunnels where built to last.