AP: Mate piloting tug that hit duck boat takes 5th

PHILADELPHIA - July 12, 2010 -- The Coast Guard says a crew member refusing to talk to federal investigators about a fatal duck boat crash in Philadelphia was piloting the tug that slammed into the duck boat.

The National Transportation and Safety Board says the mate "exercised his Fifth Amendment right and refused to meet with investigators" over the weekend.

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Todd Gatlin tells The Associated Press the mate was on duty as the tug pushed a 250-foot barge up the Delaware River.

The NTSB says the duck boat's crew said radio calls to the tug "received no response."

The agency says the tug's crew consisted of a captain, the mate, an engineer and two deckhands.

The collision last week sunk the tourist vessel, dumping 37 people overboard and killing two young Hungarians.

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www.ridetheducks.com

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