17 dead after duck boat capsizes on Table Rock Lake

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by thebrad84

Meant to address in my previous post, but most of the victims likely drowned as a result of being trapped under the metal canopy after the boat sank under water. The passengers would have had no clue the boat was sinking due to no visibility straight ahead (captain seat sits well above passenger seats) where the boat was taking on water and would have only had seconds to react once the boat started going under. Them wearing life jackets would have only contributed to being trapped under the canopy. Their only hope would have been the captain announcing abandon ship in the first few minutes the ship was taking on water in front, but he likely didn't realize the severity until it was too late.

I was thinking the same thing. It looks like those things are fully enclosed and the people that died, probably died as a result of being trapped inside as it filled up with water. I would imagine that having a life jacket on would have made it more difficult to escape.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I was thinking the same thing. It looks like those things are fully enclosed and the people that died, probably died as a result of being trapped inside as it filled up with water. I would imagine that having a life jacket on would have made it more difficult to escape.

I've never been on one, but I thought they had big plastic windows that they can put on. Perhaps they were on but difficult to remove?. I think people could have gotten out. Not sure if my chances would have been any better fighting waves and wind in the water, but I think I'd rather face that than be stuck inside of a vehicle. I'd like to think I would have exited the boat on my own, whether through a window or out the doors, but no telling what I might have actually done. Fear, plus having people, I'm sure, telling you what to do and not do.