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Duck Tours, that is. World War II's amphibious vehicle is sporting a coat of yellow paint, and it's traveling land and sea with enthusiastic unfeathered friends aboard.
By PAMELA DAVIS
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- While riding around downtown St. Petersburg on a huge yellow trucklike thing, it's hard to tell whether it's the passengers or the tour they're receiving on the vehicle that's the real entertainment.
As passengers stare at the sights of the downtown area -- the post office, library, shuffleboard courts and courthouse -- people on the street stare at the passengers.
As well they should. The riders are sitting in a Big Bird yellow World War II amphibious military vehicle, and some of them are quacking at passersby.
Duck Tours of Tampa Bay, a tourist attraction located on both sides of the bay, opened in March and is already a hit with both visitors and locals. Similar tours on the same kind of vehicle have been available in cities such as Boston and Branson, Mo., for years.
Unlike city tours that take place with other kinds of transportation, the Duck vehicle tour can both roll along on land and float in the water.
The St. Petersburg Duck begins at the Pier and tours the downtown area, driving by points of interest such as the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, BayWalk and Florida Power Park before entering into Tampa Bay at Demens Landing.
The Tampa Duck begins at Newk's Cafe and tours Ybor City and downtown Tampa before hitting the Bay at Davis Islands.
The tours last approximately 80 minutes, 30 of them in the water.
Before boarding, riders have the opportunity to pay $2.49 for a kazoo-type instrument in the shape of a duck's bill. Blow into it and it quacks like, well, you know. Passengers are encouraged to quack at folks on the street.
"They get on that Duck, and their exhibitions go out the window," says Duck Tours of Tampa Bay co-owner Jill Betz.
About 21,000 Ducks were made in the 1940s for the military. The vehicle could land soldiers on beach heads and transport supplies to shores without a port. The name "Duck" is based on the military acronymn for the vehicle: DUKW.
The D stands for the decade of the 40s, U stands for utility vehicle, K stands for front-wheel drive and W stands for rear-wheel drive.
Each vehicle can hold 27 passengers and comes equipped with life preservers and oars in the event of an emergency. The Coast Guard requires a master captain on board the Duck when it's in the water.
The St. Petersburg tour departs daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:15, 3:15 and 5 p.m. Tickets and boarding are at the Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE. For reservations and information call (727) 432-3825
The Tampa tour departs at 11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets and boarding are at Newk's Cafe, 514 Channelside Drive. For reservations and information call (813) 310-3825.
Note: Times are subject to change; call for reservations and current schedules. Information is also available at www.ducktoursoftampabay.com