Water Taxi Crashes into Parked Boat in Fort Lauderdale Due to Steering Issue; No Injuries Reported
Accident Occurs at 500 SE Fifth Ave.
A water taxi crashed into a parked boat in Fort Lauderdale after experiencing a mechanical issue with its steering, according to the water taxi company’s president.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Units Respond to Incident
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue units responded to the incident on Friday night, which resulted in minor damage to both boats.
Passengers React to Bumpy Ride
Passengers on board the water taxi described the experience as "very, very, very scary" and "like a bumpy ride." One passenger, Peggy Seckular, recalled, "As soon as we left the dock, we started to hear all this noise, and he started to hit boats, and we came down the river, ‘bang, bang, bang.’ He told us to brace ourselves because he was going to hit into here. So everybody held on, and we smashed into the dock over here."
Water Taxi Company Apologizes and Assures Safety
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi President Greg Farley acknowledged that the incident was an unpleasant experience for their customers. "Unfortunately, one of our vessels tonight had a mechanical issue that ended up affecting its steering," he said. "We love our guests. That’s our favorite part of our water taxis, is the people that we get to host and entertain every day. Like I said, this isn’t something that happens often or ever with us, but it is something that we do prepare for and train for, so the crew jumped right on things and took the necessary steps that they needed to, to ensure everyone’s safety until we were able to get them off the vessel."
No Injuries Reported, Review of Water Taxi Planned
Despite being filled with passengers, no injuries were reported. The company has announced that they will review the water taxi involved to address any issues with it.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspections to prevent such incidents from occurring. While the water taxi company’s quick response and crew training ensured everyone’s safety, it is crucial that the company takes necessary steps to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What caused the water taxi to crash into a parked boat?
A: The water taxi experienced a mechanical issue with its steering, according to the company’s president.
Q: Were there any injuries reported?
A: No, despite being filled with passengers, no injuries were reported.
Q: What will the water taxi company do to address the issue?
A: The company will review the water taxi involved to address any issues with it.
