‘Amphibious’ tours suspended after fire on Thames
London Duck Tours has stopped operating on the Thames after passengers had to be rescued from a fire on board its tourist boat.
30 passengers and crew, including tourists from the UK, Brazil, Russia, Australia and Sweden, jumped into the River Thames near the Houses of Parliament after the boat, which can operate on land and water, caught fire.
The people from the London Duck Tours craft were rescued by police, the fire brigade and a passing tourist boat.
The operator confirmed it has stopped the tours on the river until the cause of the fire has been established.
John Bigos, managing director of London Duck Tours, said in a statement on the company website: "London Duck Tours operates to the highest safety standards, and at this early stage it is not possible to speculate on the reason for the incident.
"Until the cause is established, the company will not be operating on the river and should technical or safety modifications be required to our fleet, these will be introduced prior to the service recommencing.
"The company acknowledges the distressing situation experienced by our passengers however we are pleased to report that all persons involved in the incident are safe and well. "
An operating licence for amphibious vehicles in Liverpool was revoked last month, after two vessels sank in the city’s Albert Dock in March and June.
But London Duck Tours claims its safety and operational procedures are of a higher standard.
Bigos added: "The media and press have made a number of comparisons and connections between today’s incident and with a totally separate company which operated in Liverpool.
"We confirm that the safety standards and operational procedures of this company are to a higher standard. London Duck Tours operates a fully modernised fleet of nine vehicles that have been completely rebuilt and refurbished between 2002 and 2012. This includes new, purpose built hulls, new engines, computerised systems and steering equipment.
"The company is fully cooperating with the investigators and regulatory authorities and will not be making further comment until the reason behind the incident is established."
The damaged boat was pulled away from the scene and the fire service has begun an investigation into how the fire started.
Diane
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