The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently boarded a vessel managed by the Potomac Riverboat Company, the same company whose ship struck the Key Bridge last month. The incident raised concerns about the company’s safety practices and prompted the FAA to take action.
The Potomac Riverboat Company operates sightseeing tours and water taxi services in the Washington, D.C. area. Their ship, the “Cherry Blossom,” collided with the Key Bridge on September 15, causing damage to both the bridge and the vessel. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the incident.
Following the collision, the FAA conducted an inspection of another vessel managed by the company, the “Miss Mallory.” The inspection revealed several safety issues, including damaged life vests and expired fire extinguishers. The FAA also found that the company had failed to properly document maintenance and repair records for their vessels.
In response to these findings, the FAA issued a warning to the Potomac Riverboat Company, instructing them to address the safety deficiencies and improve their safety management practices. The company agreed to cooperate with the FAA and take corrective actions to ensure the safety of their operations.
The incident has raised questions about the oversight of the Potomac Riverboat Company and the safety of their operations. The FAA’s intervention highlights the importance of regulatory enforcement to prevent accidents and prioritize passenger safety on the waterways.
Moving forward, the Potomac Riverboat Company will need to demonstrate their commitment to safety and compliance with regulations to regain the trust of passengers and regulatory authorities. The company’s response to the FAA’s warning will be closely monitored as they work to improve their safety practices and prevent future incidents.
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