THE OWNERS of the Duckmarine, that sank in a Liverpool Dock leaving 27 people in the water, have gone into administration.
It was last Saturday, 15th June, that a yellow Duckmarine sank in a dock, (Duckmarine sinks again) and being unable to reach shore left the 27 passengers, including children, struggling in the water, with narrowboats coming to their rescue.
Immediately halted
This was the second time one of these amphibious craft had sunk in a Liverpool dock, with the venture being immediately halted whilst investigations took place.
After this second sinking the Maritime and Coastguard Agency withdrew its certification on all four of the company's 70 years old vessels.
Normandy landings
The six wheel amphibious vessel was first made in America during the second world war, and was extensively used to transport both men and materials where there were no proper landing facilities, with many used during the Normandy landings.
Four of them were used in Liverpool giving trips on both land and water, and were very popular, even having had the Queen and Prince Philip as passengers. The water tour starts down the slipway into Salthouse Dock, then through various docks, ending with a circle of Albert Dock then straight up the slipway in front of the Albert Dock buildings.
In view of their obvious problems—the company faced a separate investigation by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency last year which found systems with minimum standards not being met—it is unlikely that they will ever be used again. A feeling expressed by the Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson who states that they should not be allowed back in the water.