Swindled 129. The Death Trap (Ride the Ducks Intl.)
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Jul 27, 2025 A tragic tale unfolds as a duck boat capsizes on Table Rock Lake, claiming 17 lives during a storm. The podcast dives into the eerie history of these amphibious vehicles and their disastrous safety oversights. Survivors share harrowing accounts of survival amidst chaos, while the aftermath reveals a community in mourning and calls for accountability. With stories of corporate greed and regulatory failures, the narrative highlights the urgent need for better safety measures to protect tourists in the wake of such heartbreaking tragedies.
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Duck Boats' Flawed Safety Legacy
- Post-WWII duck boats were sold as surplus and repurposed for commercial tourism despite safety flaws.
- Their unique design slipped through regulatory cracks leading to inadequate inspections for years.
1999 Miss Majestic Sinking Tragedy
- On May 1, 1999, Miss Majestic sank in Arkansas due to maintenance failures, trapping passengers inside.
- The canopy trapped victims, and life vests were a survival obstacle, highlighting design dangers.
NTSB's Safety Recommendations
- Duck boat operators should remove canopies and require passengers to wear life jackets.
- Implementing reserve buoyancy can prevent sinking if flooding occurs.