Missouri tour boat captain committed negligence, Coast Guard says

Federal court documents released Wednesday say the U.S. Coast Guard believes the captain of the tour boat that sank into Table Rock Lake was negligent and committed misconduct.

The amphibious “Duck Boat” tourist vessel sank on July 19, killing 17 people.

The U.S. attorney’s office filed motions Wednesday against the captain of another duck boat that made it safely back to shore, alleging that they acted in a “grossly negligent manner,” although the motion doesn’t give the full details of that accusation.

Federal prosecutors also asked that the Kansas City-based court to hold off on discovery in any of the civil cases filed against the Ride the Ducks company until the criminal investigation is completed.

However, Robert Mongeluzzi, an attorney representing a family who lost loved ones in the incident, said he does not believe a stay is warranted.

“We strongly support all efforts to hold all those responsible for the July 19 Branson, Missouri duck boat disaster fully accountable through the justice system, including possible criminal prosecution,” Mongeluzzi told ABC News. “We do not believe a stay of all civil proceedings is warranted and will be filing a response in opposition articulating the reasons why the civil case can proceed without adversely affecting the criminal prosecution.”