rclarke246
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 450
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Lady Di
- Vessel Make
- 2012 Beneteau Swift Trawler 44
Hello, I previously posted this on the recent thread about the Jungle Cruise boat taking on water, but thought that this may be a better place to post:
We're regular visitors to WDW and here are a few observations regarding the operation of the launches that run between the Magic Kingdom and the 4-5 resort hotels on the big lake:
1) These open boats, carring about 50 passengers and are about 30'-40' in length.
2) They are in deep water, at least 8', I suppose.
3) Engines, props and steering are typical of a motor vessel.
4) 1 vessel operator with no crew.
5) Once tied to the dock at a resort hotel the vessel operator actually leaves the vessel, engine running (maybe in gear), with all passengers still aboard, while he goes to rearrange the cueing rope barriers on the dock. This takes about 20 seconds, or so.
The vessel operator is alone in docking and running except for assistance of dock hands at the Magic Kingdom. There is no announcement about PFD's or their location. In the event of an emergency that operator will be left to manage it on his/her own.
As Disney usually serves as a model, in many ways, I'm very surprised about many aspects of this operation.
It's clear that the alligator attack, where a child was killed, took them by surprise and I feel that this could be a potentially larger disaster waiting to happen.
What do you think?
We're regular visitors to WDW and here are a few observations regarding the operation of the launches that run between the Magic Kingdom and the 4-5 resort hotels on the big lake:
1) These open boats, carring about 50 passengers and are about 30'-40' in length.
2) They are in deep water, at least 8', I suppose.
3) Engines, props and steering are typical of a motor vessel.
4) 1 vessel operator with no crew.
5) Once tied to the dock at a resort hotel the vessel operator actually leaves the vessel, engine running (maybe in gear), with all passengers still aboard, while he goes to rearrange the cueing rope barriers on the dock. This takes about 20 seconds, or so.
The vessel operator is alone in docking and running except for assistance of dock hands at the Magic Kingdom. There is no announcement about PFD's or their location. In the event of an emergency that operator will be left to manage it on his/her own.
As Disney usually serves as a model, in many ways, I'm very surprised about many aspects of this operation.
It's clear that the alligator attack, where a child was killed, took them by surprise and I feel that this could be a potentially larger disaster waiting to happen.
What do you think?