Amphibious ‘duck’ tours remain grounded

Six days after the tragic collision on the Delaware River, there's still no indication as to when Ride the Ducks will again begin offering the amphibious boat tours that have grown as a popular summer activity on Philadelphia's waterfront.

The company has voluntarily suspended operations here, and needs no special approval from the city to resume the tours. Ride the Ducks began here in 2003.

On Monday, Mayoral spokesman Doug Oliver said the company "agreed to keep us informed of their plans moving forward, and that is where things stand at this point. When they indicate what their intentions are moving forward, we will cross that bridge."

The city does have legal authority to revoke the company's business license for a short period of time, should it wish to bar operations by Ride the Duck. But Oliver noted that "there's been nothing to this point to suggest (the boats) are unsafe."

It is the height of the tourism season for Ride the Ducks, which normally launches the amphibious boats into the Delaware River 60 to 70 times a day, following a land-based tour of Old City and Society Hill.

"We don't have a timetable at this point. We are still just working with the (National Transportation Safety Board) and their investigation," Ride the Ducks spokesman Bob Salmon said Monday. "Our focus has been on that, as well as the families of the guests on that vessel."

Salmon also noted that all 50 or so of the company's employees are continuing to be paid.

Based near Altanta, Ride the Ducks had initially suspended operations in its four other cities as well. But the boats were back in service Saturday in San Francisco, Atlanta and Branson, Mo.

The fourth city, Newport, Ky., will begin offering tours again as of July 19, a spokesman there said.