In the wake of the tragic sinking of the amphibious
passenger vessel, MISS MAJESTIC, near Hot Springs,
Arkansas on May 1, 1999, the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) commenced an investigation and
contracted JMS to conduct an in depth damage
stability analysis.
Amphibious passenger vessels have become a popular
tourist attraction and carry more than 1 million
passengers a year. There are approximately 30
companies operating over 250 amphibious vessels
throughout the U.S. The majority of these vessels
are DUKW's which are WWII vintage amphibious
vehicles 31 feet in length and capable of carrying
up to 33 passengers. They were originally built for
the U.S. military as an amphibious logistic support
vehicle.
Due to a lack of documentation in existence, JMS
conducted a survey of the MISS MAJESTIC and
performed an inclining experiment aboard a sister
vessel in Hot Springs. The data was used to develop
a HECSALV computer model of the DUKW and perform
flooding analyses for various loading arrangements.
The effects of adding watertight bulkheads and
buoyant foam were analyzed as possible means of
increasing vessel survivability.
JMS also created a computer simulation to visually
depict the sinking of the MISS MAJESTIC consistent
with the engineering analysis. The video
demonstrated the source of the flooding and the
progression of water in real time. To ensure the
highest level of accuracy, the simulation was
created using in-house personnel who were involved
in all phases of the project including the on site
measurement, inclining experiment and engineering
analyses.
The results of the study were presented at a NTSB
public forum on "Amphibious Passenger Vessel Safety"
held in Memphis, Tennessee on December 8, 1999. JMS
president, Jack Ringelberg participated as an expert
panelist where he discussed the findings and
presented the computer simulation. The Safety Board
hosted the event to provide an opportunity for the
U.S. Coast Guard, State governments, amphibious
passenger vessel operators, and the general public
to explore safety issues relating to the design,
regulation, maintenance, and operation of these
unique vessels. NTSB released their safety
recommendations in February 2000.
Subsequent to the NTSB public forum JMS has offered
its services to other commercial companies operating
amphibious vessels for tourism. For example, Boston
Duck Tours has hired JMS to design the overhaul of
their 17 boats, which operate in Boston Harbor, MA.
In addition, JMS is consulting with ocean engineers
about designing and building modernized amphibious
passenger vessels that meet all U. S. Coast Guard
regulations.
