A former National Transportation Safety Board chairman is calling for the permanent ban of duck boats as amusement rides, just days after 17 people died on a duck boat in Table Rock Lake in Branson.

Jim Hall, who served as NTSB chairman from 1993 to 2001, spoke to KMBC 9 News Sunday afternoon, saying the amphibious vehicles are very dangerous.

“Because there is no effective oversight of these operations,” he said, “they should be banned.”

Hall said the U.S. Coast Guard or Congress should act to ban the vessels immediately.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman, reached by phone Sunday evening, said she could not speculate if the U.S. Coast Guard would be able to enact an immediate ban on duck boats.

“The investigation is going to take a while,” said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Lora Ratliff.

Since 1999, at least 43 people have died on duck boats in the United States, according to a Philadelphia law firm representing clients in previous duck boat accidents.

17 of 31 people on board the “Stretch Duck 07” died when the vessel sank Thursday, in Branson.

NTSB DUCK BOAT INVESTIGATION HISTORY

Former NTSB Chairman Hall served in 1999 when the Miss Majestic duck boat sank on Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, Arkansas Of the 21 people aboard the Miss Majestic, 13 passengers, including three children died on May 1, 1999.

The NTSB issued a report about the Miss Majestic in 2001, shortly after Hall left office. That report said a canopy used on the duck boat contributed to the deaths of several people, trapping them inside as the boat sank. The report also highlighted a faulty water pump, a lack of maintenance, and less than rigorous Coast Guard oversight.

Eyewitness videos show a similar canopy on the “Stretch Duck 07” as it sank in Branson Thursday evening. It’s still unclear if the water pump or engine may have failed when the vessel sank in a strong thunderstorm.

Ratliff said she could not immediately answer a question about why more of the NTSB recommendations were not put into place after the 2001 NTSB report. She promised to look into the question and get back to KMBC 9 News.

Hall said the Coast Guard lacks resources to provide “adequate oversight” of duck boat safety. He also said duck boat industry leaders and state leaders also never took enough action after the NTSB’s recommendations in 2001.

“As we see many times when there’s no one person responsible, when there’s several groups responsible, then, unfortunately, in many times, no one’s responsible,” he said.

You can read the entire NTSB report from the 1999 Arkansas incident here.

STRETCH DUCK 07 INSPECTION HISTORY

A KMBC 9News investigation also uncovered the “Stretch Duck 07”’ U.S. Coast Guard inspection history - read the inspection report here. It passed inspection in 2017. However, the vessel had previous deficiencies in its firefighting system and on-board water management system. Inspection records show both those issues were resolved. The records do not show any issues or concerns with the vessel’s canopy.

ATTORNEY ALSO CALLS FOR DUCK BOAT BAN

A Philadelphia attorney, whose firm represented victims of two previous duck boat accidents, echoed the former NTSB chairman’s request for a ban on duck boats as tourist attractions nationwide.

“The industry has known for decades of the dangers posed by these vehicles, and by these vessels on the water with the canopies which trap people and drag them down,” attorney Jeffrey Goodman said.

His firm, Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, has represented tourist victims of duck boat deaths on the Delaware River, and on a city street in Philadelphia.

“They’re not safe on land. They’re not safe on water,” Goodman said. “They have no use in the tourism industry, or any industry for that matter.”

The Ride the Ducks attraction in Branson is owned by Ripley Entertainment Inc., which purchased the company in December.

A phone call and email to a Ripley Entertainment company spokeswoman went unreturned Sunday evening. Ripley Entertainment released this statement in the hours following the boat’s sinking.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred at Ride The Ducks Branson. This incident has deeply affected all of us. Words cannot convey how profoundly our hearts are breaking. We will continue to do all we can to assist the families who were involved and the authorities as they continue with the search and rescue. The safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority. Ride the Ducks will be closed for business while we support the investigation, and to allow time to grieve for the families and the community. Thank you for your support, and we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with the families during this time."