Re: [MV] Duck sinking

WMesmer@aol.com
Mon, 3 May 1999 00:57:18 EDT

There are two ways that DUKWs tend to sink unexpectedly.

One is having the prop shaft support bearing cap let loose. When this
happens the prop will make about a dozen huge gashes in the prop tunnel
before you can get the prop stopped turning. This happened several years ago
to one of the local government owned DUKWs (as I recall it was a sheriff's
dept. DUKW). The people on board claim that it only stayed afloat for about
10 seconds.

The other thing that will sink them in a hurry is an explosion of the
compressed air receiver tank. This happens when the air compressor un-loader
sticks in the "loaded" positon and you have a safety relief valve that is
corroded so badly that it will not open. The air reciever tank is located
near the side of the hull, below the waterline, so that when it explodes it
tends to tear a huge hole in the hull. This will sink it very quickly and
leave all of the passangers stunned from the explosion. Not a good
suituation.

Just my 5 cents worth.

Bill Mesmer
Wilson, NY

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