Possible negligence in Missouri duck boat sinking: prosecutors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Federal prosecutors say in court filings that the U.S. Coast Guard found probable cause that the captain of a tourist boat that sank in Missouri, killing 17 people, committed misconduct, negligence or was inattentive to his duties.

The U.S. attorney’s office also said in motions filed Wednesday that the captain of a second duck boat that made it safely to shore when a storm came up on Table Rock Lake near Branson July 19 acted in a “grossly negligent manner” that day. The filing doesn’t elaborate on the allegations.

In the motion, federal prosecutors are asking the federal court based in Kansas City to delay the discovery process in any lawsuits filed against the operators of the Ride the Ducks tours until the criminal investigation is completed.

MORE ABOUT DUCK BOATS

• Lawsuit filed in fatal duck boat sinking seeks $100 million

• Quick change in weather before duck boat sank: NTSB

• Duck boats linked to more than 40 deaths since 1999