Fire: passengers on the London Duck Tours boat
Standard Reporter19 December 2014
An investigation into a blaze aboard an amphibious sightseeing vehicle plying the Thames found the craft had been allowed to operate with an “elevated risk of mechanical failure and fire”.
One of London Duck Tours’ (LDT) yellow craft, which operate on roads and water, caught fire last year.
Twenty-eight passengers and two crew who jumped into the river were saved by boats.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that, although LDT vehicles were generally found to have been well maintained, foam used to keep the craft buoyant caught fire because it was so tightly packed around machinery.
The tour firm said it has now improved safety.
