A new venture will bring back amphibious vehicle tours of the streets and docks of Liverpool – more than a decade after the Yellow Duckmarine literally sank. Tony McDonough reports
A new venture launching this spring will use an amphibious vehicle to offer tours of Liverpool city centre before splashing down into the dock system.
Splash Tours Liverpool will offer a 60-minute tour that will start at the Royal Albert Dock before taking in city centre landmarks such the Royal Liver Building, St George’s Hall and the two cathedrals.
It will then return to the waterfront where it will splash into the Royal Albert Dock and sail through Salthouse Dock, Canning Dock and Wapping Dock.
This will be the first land and water tour in the city since the demise of the ill-fated Yellow Duckmarines. On one Saturday afternoon in March 2013 the ‘Wacker Quacker’ craft started to sink into the dock.
An investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency later cleared three of the four vehicles to resume the tours but, in June, disaster struck when 30 passengers had to be rescued from the dock when another craft began to sink.
Yellow Duckmarine tours had used repurposed World War Two amphibious vehicles. However, Splash Tours Liverpool will be using a newly-manufactured vehicle.
This new venture will be operated by the Lumley family, headed up by father Graham Lumley, his son Ed and daughter Amelia, who have run a similar operation in Windsor successfully since 2013.
Under its manufacturing arm, Seahorse Amphibious, it is the only company in Europe to manufacture and operate its own amphibious vehicles, with a combined experience of 40 years.
The vehicle to be used in Liverpool is purpose-built from scratch and is the result of seven years of development and innovation, adopting the latest in technology and compliant with all safety laws.
Ed Lumley, said: “We cannot wait to launch Splash Tours in one of the world’s most exhilarating and dynamic cities, allowing visitors to experience Liverpool from two very different perspectives – from its fabled streets to its iconic and world-famous waterfront.
“Be among the first to experience this groundbreaking new tour, and let our team enlighten you with insights into Liverpool’s rich history, architecture and the cultural significance of the landmarks along the route; it’s a tour like no other.”
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The company is welcoming interest from local skippers and tour guides to join the team for its launch. Interested applicants can email: recruitment@splashtours.co
Tickets will be available for pre-sale from Monday, February 19 ahead of the spring launch. Click here.
Sean Morrison, estate manager at Royal Albert Dock, added: “It’s wonderful to add Splash Tours Liverpool to the growing list of vibrant attractions available at the dock.
“In a city steeped with history, we’re delighted to be part of a unique experience that allows visitors to immerse themselves in Liverpool and provides an exciting opportunity to see the iconic waterfront like never before.”