Boston Duck Boat Tours Turn 25

BOSTON — You've seen them heading off from the Prudential Tower and you've seen them rolling around the Boston Common and in the Charles River Boston Duck Tours with their quacks and colorful vehicles full of tourists. Now, after 25 years in the city Boston Duck Tours is set to celebrate it's 12 millionth customer Thursday.

The company said it carries about 600,000 people each season from its three departure locations at the Museum of Science, Prudential Center and the New England Aquarium.

Boston Duck Tours was inspired by the first "duck tour" company Original Wisconsin Ducks, which started in 1946 in Wisconsin. And in 1994, the Boston Duck Tours launched from the Massachusetts State House on October 4, 1994, with four original WWII DUCKs.

Throughout the past quarter century, the fleet has grown into 28 newly built amphibious vehicles which have now officially carried millions of people through the city streets and into the Charles River. And then the company are the sports stars celebrating world championships on the Duck boats during the "rolling rallies."

“Of all the successes Boston Duck Tours has had, nothing makes me prouder than our commitment to giving back to our community through our philanthropic efforts – not only with dollars but with many hours of community service by our staff,” CEO Cindy Brown said in a statement pointing to the company's $1 million in donations to causes throughout Boston.

Tours average an hour on land and 20 minutes on the water and run about $43 for adults. And if the sounds of the tour guides blaring from the tours and the quacks and smiles are any indicator, tourists dig them.

Still, in recent years there have been calls to better regulate or even ban them in the U.S.

Throughout the years there have been several fatalities associated with Duck boat tours across the country, including one in 2016 in Boston. The Penelope Pru, a Boston Duck Tours vehicle hit a motor scooter as both vehicles were turning right onto Beacon Street adjacent to the Boston Common.

The company is offering 25 percent off tickets for any New England resident through the Fall at any Duck Tour location with proof of residence (except on Saturdays).

RELATED:

• Boston Duck Tours Comments On Missouri Tragedy (2018)
• Down With Duck Boats? Former US Safety Board (2018)
• Duck Boat Company Reacts to Driver's Record in Fatal Accident (2016)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).