— The company that owns a duck boat that sank on a Missouri lake last summer, killing 17 people, announced Thursday that it won’t operate the vessels this year because of the ongoing investigation and will instead open a replacement attraction in the tourist town of Branson. “Branson thrives on tourism, so we want to make sure we continue to give back to the community,” Smagala-Potts said. For nearly 50 years, tourists have toured the Branson area on refurbished amphibious vessel originally used by the military during World War II, with Ripley purchasing the duck boats in 2017. Ripley does not have duck boats anywhere else. Smagala-Potts said the company is pursuing mediation with the families.

Source: National Post March 21, 2019 16:18 UTC