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Big, blue duck waddles into town

Tampa Duck Adventures makes a splash by bringing amphibious tours back to the city.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published January 29, 2005

TAMPA - First came the stares, then the fingerpointing, then the laughs.

Yes, the duck is back.

A new company is leading historical tours of downtown Tampa in its version of World War II's vintage amphibious ducks, reviving the once-popular land and sea attraction.

During a sightseeing adventure this week through downtown streets, pedestrians and motorists gawked and chuckled at the 39-foot monstrosity known as the duck.

Four times a day, six days a week, the giant blue duck rumbles through Ybor City, downtown and the Channel District, then splashes into the waters off Davis Islands in search of bottle-nosed dolphins.

It's been almost two years since Tampa had duck tours. But Tamps Duck Adventures began operations this week with hopes of expanding to the Pier in St. Petersburg.

Owners Joseph and Tammy Stanley, who have run summer duck tours in Portland, Maine, for two years, said they wanted to operate during the winter months as well. They searched for a city rich in history and bathed in warmth.

They spent five days in Tampa in August, visiting the history museum and talking to locals.

"We thought it'd be a great opportunity for us, and we'd be a great asset for the community of Tampa," Tammy Stanley said.

In November, tour guide J.D. Merritt moved to Tampa. He spent four weeks researching the city's history, reading novels, scouring documents and visiting museums.

During the 90-minute tour, Merritt provides riders with nuggets of Tampa's colorful history, from the founding of Ybor City by immigrants to the establishment of Davis Islands by a man who drowned at sea.

They learned about "Hortense," the clock above City Hall, and the story behind the magnificent marble altar in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

"This is fantastic!" said Gloria Cianci, of Connecticut, who took a tour with relatives from Spring Hill. "I never knew Tampa had so many stories and so much history."

The high point of the tour seemed to be the moment the vehicle drove into the water off Davis Islands.

"I've had grownups scream like children when we go into the water," Merritt told the tourists.

Cianci and her family weren't expecting the 49-passenger vehicle to plunge into the water. They thought the tour involved switching modes of transportation.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Cianci said.

Tampa Duck Adventures operates what is called a Hydra Terra vessel, designed to maneuver over land and in the sea much like the 21/2-ton steel WW2 vehicles with the acronym DUKW.

The military designed the duck trucks to reach beaches that lacked docks. The original company that ran the duck tours, Duck Tours of Tampa Bay, used restored trucks. Its owners ceased operations almost two years ago due to insurance issues.

Stanley said his company's duck is only 3 years old and features safety enhancements that will keep the vehicle afloat even if the drain plugs are pulled and the engine room is flooded.

The owners of the new duck in town said they not only intend to stay, they're considering expanding to St. Pete.

"We still need to establish our Tampa market," Stanley said, "but we're hopeful."

Times researchers Kitty Bennett and Cathy Wos contributed to this report.

Tampa Duck Adventures runs daily except for Tuesdays. Rates are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors; $18 for children ages 6-12; and $5 for children 5 and younger. Tickets available at the start of the tour, Newk's Cafe, 514 Channelside Drive. Tours are at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. No tours on Gasparilla Day. For information, call (813) 341-3825 or visit www.duckadventures.com

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 09:47:40]