MAY 2019 • FOGHORN 33 LEGISLATIVEREPORT +1 920.686.5117 sales@burgerboat.com burgerboatcommercial.com Proudly built in the USA Refit & Repair Burger is recognized worldwide for quality custom vessels that provide years of dependable service. Quality Commercial Vessels... Built by Burger to Your Requirements • Aluminum and Steel Fabrication • Passenger Vessels • Water Taxis • Wind Farm Support Vessels • Crew Supply Vessels • Other Vessels to 260’ (80m) • Refit and Repair Services - Hull Plate Replacement - Exterior and Interior Coatings - Engine & Generator Repowers - All Vessel System Repairs - Interior Refresh Burger is a Authorized Dealer For MARINE AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director Senator Introduces “Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act” W ell-publiciz ed ma rine accidents frequently prompt lawmakers in Washington to introduce and enact remedial legisla- tion to address problems perceived to have contributed to the casualty. For example, the sinking of the U.S.-flagged container vessel El Faro off Florida in a hurricane on October 1, 2015, with the loss of all hands led to the eventual enactment of the Maritime Safety Act of 2018. More recently, the fatal accident involving the Stretch Duck 7 in extreme weather on Table Rock Lake near Branson, MO, on July 19 of last year has resulted in the introduction of amphibi- ous vessel safety bills in Congress. Immediately after the casualty, both the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) commenced investigations. The results of these inquiries are likely to be made public sometime later this year. In addition, the U.S. Attorney for Western Missouri has brought seaman’s man- slaughter criminal charges against the master of the Stretch Duck 7. On April 4, 2019, newly-elected Senator Josh Hawley (Republican of Missouri) introduced S. 1031, the “Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2019.” Senator Hawley said, “Missouri still mourns the lives lost on Table Rock Lake last summer. Sadly though, this tragedy wasn’t the first of its kind. For decades now, the NTSB has been making recommendations to make these rides safer, but Congress has failed to act. It’s my goal to change that by introducing this legislation today. We have to protect safety on the water.” M i s s o u r i ’ s s e n i o r S e n a t o r, Republican Roy Blunt, has been quoted in the Missouri press as saying, “I’d like to understand the problem before I propose a legislative solution.” Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois has indicated that she would be introducing a bill on the subject, but she is not currently listed as a co-spon- sor of the Hawley bill. The Hawley legislation is an updated version of a bill introduced