What Is a Duck Boat?

Various news outlets are reporting a tour boat called a "duck boat" capsized in a storm on a lake in Missouri drowning 17. If you've been wondering what a duck boat is, it is a truck that is also a boat, of sorts.

These were originally military, used for amphibious landings, and knows as DUKW, pronounced "duck." Wikipedia explains the name thus:

The name DUKW comes from GMC model nomenclature:
D, Designed in 1942
U, Utility
K, All-wheel drive
W, Dual-Tandem rear axles

A DUKW can drive on land and sail on water, if the water isn't too rough.  They're probably more useful for river crossings than for choppy water, which Table Rock Lake became in a thunderstorm. I've seen them in use for harbor tours and other touristy things.

If you're offered a cruise in a "duck boat" you might want to decline with thanks, although thousands of folks have done so safely. Like most multi-use creations, it does none of its functions as well as a single-use machine can.

Later ... sources report the feature making the boat/truck dangerous was the add-on superstructure. The roof and plexiglass windows likely trapped people inside, unable to get out as the craft sank. Most DUKWs used as tourist craft have no roof and windows and should be safer.