The following safety measures and precautions are taken to ensure the safety of all passengers and employees at the Original Wisconsin Ducks:

• All duck drivers are required to have a Commercial Drivers License to drive a duck. This involves a two-step process including a written exam and a driving practicum, which is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

• A pre-employment drug test is administered at the local medical center and random testing is held throughout the year.

• A duck driver is required to participate in up to six weeks of training, which includes joining in 50-70 tours with senior duck drivers. The training must be completed prior to taking passengers on solo tours.

Training involves preparation of the duck for operation; reviewing operating gauges; procedures for use of fire extinguishers, life preservers and ring buoy; heat, fume and high water alarm operations; tiller line procedure; bilge pump and hand pump operation; high range propeller usage; breakdown procedure and expectations.

• Five mandatory attendance safety meetings are conducted between Memorial Day and Labor Day with an emphasis on safety requirements and to confirm that all staff is confident of all Safety Operating Procedures.

• First-year drivers are required to attend a Rules Meeting in which the Employee Handbook is reviewed and the General Manager takes the drivers on a tour.

• New drivers participate in a driving test practicum.

• All first-year drivers are required to take the General Manager on tour when they have completed the requirements to drive tour ducks. They must pass this rigorous one-on-one test prior to transporting passengers.

• Returning duck drivers must complete a driving test on land and water in eight unique locations, which require specific maneuvers along the duck trails.

• All staff are required to pass first aid and CPR classes conducted by the American Red Cross.

• All drivers are required to pass a 25-question "rules of the road" exam conducted by the Original Wisconsin Ducks.

• Drivers are required to participate in a boater's safety class instructed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

• Every active duck is put through an in-water hull inspection twice a year to check for leaks and to assess the operation of the drive shaft and bilge pump.

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conducts yearly inspections of the flotation devices, ignition blowers, running lights and anchor ropes on all operating ducks.

• Fire extinguishers aboard the ducks are inspected yearly by an outside company.

• During the peak summer season, the hulls of the ducks are checked daily. All moving parts, rudder and drive shaft are greased daily. Additionally, the bilge pumps are checked weekly.

• Anytime a repair is made on the water-related mechanics of an Original Wisconsin Duck, the vehicle is tested in the water before being sent on a tour.