Safety Alert DUKW Safety Alert DUKWs are vintage W.W. II amphibious vehicles about 31 feet in length, which are used to carry upwards of 33 people on land and water. There are approximately 75 DUKWs inspected by the Coast Guard to Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter T and reports of around 140 DUKWs being operated under State jurisdiction on non-navigable waterways.
Initial reports indicate the vessel sank rapidly by the stern.
The Commandant has convened a Marine Board of Investigation to determine the cause of this casualty. After raising the vessel, the Marine Board found evidence of an improperly positioned shaft housing that resulted from not using the original hinge assembly which is designed to restrict movement of the housing. Additionally, other evidence indicated that the bilge pump system may not have been operating as designed. Preliminary analysis of Coast Guard marine casualty data from 1992 through 1998 of DUKW-type vessels reveals a solid safety record. Bilge pumps, piping systems, and associated alarms should be checked and tested frequently.