Editorial, Opinion

EDITORIAL: Duck boats should be redesigned to ensure safety

Throughout the summer, Bostonians who traverse downtown streets are familiar with the sight of giant metal boats carrying bundles of tourists from land to water for the true Boston experience. Duck boats have been a part of Boston’s tourism scene since 1994 and are still popular for the traveler looking to see the highlights of Beantown. As college students, we’ve probably hopped on one just to say we did.

These duck boat tours aren’t confined to just Boston. Seattle and Philadelphia also have an abundance of the car/boat hybrids. Recently, advocates in Boston and other cities have been lobbying for banning duck boats or intensely improving their safety features, according to an article from the Boston Herald. After a death in Boston last April due to a duck boat driver’s impaired visibility, new regulations, such as proximity sensors, blind spot cameras and a separate tour guide to be paired with each driver, are being implemented

It is obvious that something must be done to stop the accidents from occurring on the popular tourist attraction. Deaths and road damage could be avoided with more safety precautions, driver training and a general remodel of the vehicles. These tours, as entertaining as they are, certainly aren’t worth the loss of human life. The boats should undergo renovations, keeping the look that made them famous but adding a practicality that ensures protection for those in the vehicles and those sharing the street with them. This initiative will most likely be expensive but, in the long run, extremely worth the cost. Noteworthy changes could lead to less injuries and more revenue.

One main issue with the duck tours seems to be that drivers can become easily distracted. For ConDUCKtors, it seems like the duck tour industry values an entertaining driver over a cautious one. Even the application reads “Do you have an entertaining alter ego and want to get paid to show it off? If the answer is yes, then we have the perfect job for you.” Separate drivers and tour guides, as the new Boston regulations requires, will be a vital step toward ensuring safety. As long as duck tour employees, guests and city dwellers are aware of the safety precautions and consciously adhere to them, this industry could avoid endangering patrons and pedestrians.

Many are arguing to ban duck boats completely within the city. They see the boats as destructive and not worth the trouble of fixing when they could be eliminated. However, duck boats are too integral to Boston to totally terminate. The streets of Boston would be bare without the whistles and cheers from crowds as they roll down the streets in duck boats. They’re as iconic to Boston as any other famous tourist attraction, and without them, this city would not be as visitor-friendly as it has always been. They’re a part of this city that should not be removed, especially when there are things that could be done to decrease the risk of accidents.

Whether you’re visiting Boston for a few days or you grew up in the city, practically anyone can appreciate a duck tour. It would be upsetting for duck boats to no longer be a part of Boston’s tourism, especially considering how long they’ve been a staple in the industry. Duck boats may be dangerous as they are now, but with more safety features and regulations, the tours can continue to be an integral part of Boston’s culture.

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One Comment

  1. A well-written editorial. Thank you.