Maritime Law Questions Follow Fatal Duck Boat Crash

Philadelphia, PAA fatal crash between a barge and a duck boat on the Delaware River has raised a number of difficult legal questions in regard to maritime law.

Early in July an amphibious tourist vehicle called a "duck boat" was struck by a barge after becoming immobilized due to a mechanical problem and a fire, according to the Associated Press.

Determining which party is liable in the incident might prove a bit tricky. Admiralty lawyers told the Philadelphia Inquirer that much will depend on whether each vessel was following the federal Inland Navigation Rules.

"You're going to be looking at basic concepts of maritime law," lawyer Matthew B. Wieliczko told the news source. "This isn't the first time two vessels have collided in a waterway."

A number of questions will likely need to be answered before it can be determined who is responsible for the collision.

"How long was the duck drifting?" said Steve Sheller, a Philadelphia attorney. "And what time did it fail, and what time did it report danger? That time factor is going to be important."

Two Hungarian tourists on board the duck boat were not found after the incident and have been pronounced dead.