Boston Duck Tours Changing Policy After Beacon Hill Death, Legislative Push

Boston, MA - The smiling image of 28-year-old Allison Warmuth has become the de facto face of a legislative push to increase safety requirements for duck boat tours, after an accident with one of the vehicles ended her life earlier this year.

Her family may take some solace Monday, after the company behind the amphibious touring vehicles in Boston voluntarily agreed to implement proposed requirements meant to make the tours safer.

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Boston Duck Tours said in a press release it will voluntarily institute new requirements outlined in legislation meant to prevent deaths like Warmuth's.

That includes adding a second employee on board - one to drive the duck boats, and another to narrate the tour, the release said. It is also adding proximity sensors to its vehicles, as well as cameras.

The announcement comes three months after Warmuth was struck and killed by one of the boats while riding a moped. A second, non-fatal accident involving a pedestrian struck by one of the amphibious tour vehicles occurred just last week.

One month earlier, state legislators - accompanied by Warmuth's family - proposed several new regulations, including the additional employee on board, sensors and cameras.

“We are eager to move forward with this new staffing plan,” Boston Duck Tours CEO Cindy Brown said in the press release Monday. “There is a lot of work to do. Boston is our home; we recognize what a privilege it is to serve residents and visitors and it has always been our commitment to do so utilizing best-in-class safety practices. This can only complement BDT’s current strong safety practices.”

In its release, Boston Duck Tours heavily emphasized the time and work it will take to recruit and train the additional staff.

"This will take place through the remainder of this season, which ends in November, and will continue into the off season. The new employees will be in place at the start of the 2017 season next March," the release said.

>> Photo by Bob P. B., via Flickr/Creative Commons