When people visit the United States from countries abroad, they are often seeking experiences that are not available in their home country. That is likely what prompted members of a church exchange program, visiting from Hungary, to embark on an amphibious boat tour. Also known as duck boats, these boats with wheels that can drive on land, are popular with many tourists.
Earlier this month a 35-year-old man entered the plea of guilty in response to an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from a fatal accident that occurred when the barge he was steering with his tug boat crashed into a duck boat, killing two students. The accident happened last summer, in Philadelphia, on the Delaware River.
Before the accident, the duck boat experienced engine problems and was forced to drop its anchor in a shipping channel. It was here that the barge hit the duck boat sending everyone aboard into the water. All but two of the 37 passengers resurfaced. Two young Hungarian women from the church exchange program, a 16-year-old and 20-year-old, died.
The operator of the tug boat admitted he was upset and using both his laptop computer and cell phone when the accident occurred. He was trying to obtain information on the condition and prognosis of his young son who had experienced serious complications during a routine surgery earlier that day. In his distressed state, he moved to a different part of the wheelhouse making it impossible for him to see the duck boat. He did not respond to calls for help over the radio as he had turned down the volume while he was on the phone.
The pilot was charged with the maritime offense of misconduct of a ship operator causing death. This is essentially the same as being charged with involuntary manslaughter in state court. He lost his Coast Guard license and will be sentenced under federal sentencing guidelines. Under the guidelines, he could serve 37 to 46 months in prison.
The families of the two young women filed wrongful death lawsuits. While receiving financial compensation for the death of their loved ones will not bring them back, it may assist in providing resources that will make it easier to move forward without them.
Source
CBSNews: "Tug pilot pleads guilty in Philly duck boat crash," The Associated Press, Aug. 1, 2011