Experience Hawke's Bay runs the Bay Duck and its manager Russell Mogford said the crew was well drilled in dealing with passengers in similar situations.
The driver or skipper of the vehicle had previously worked with Fullers for 12 years in Auckland while other crew members had worked on cruise ships.
"The vehicle bounced around a bit and instead of taking it out the skipper decided to play it safe and that's what he's done," Mr Mogford said.
"If he had carried on it could have been in an awkward situation."
Alternative launching areas had been identified to give the duck options depending on weather conditions.
Last year the duck broke down but measures had been taken to make sure that didn't happen again.
"That was a different situation," Mr Mogford said.
"Nothing has broken on the duck since then, we've changed the equipment so it can't happen again."
The duck was built in 2003 and cost about $500,000 to purchase. Unlike its military cousin, which costs around $100,000, the Bay Duck was fitted out specifically to carry passengers on tours. The only other type of touring amphibious vehicle operated in Rotorua.
"We've had a really good season this summer, numbers are up and we're doing more tours," Mr Mogford said. "A lot of passengers are coming from the cruise ships but there are also others visiting local people here.
"Wellington is a big market, if it's a fine weekend in Hawke's Bay and bad in Wellington, people will contact me to see if the duck is operating and come up in their droves as it's only a 3 hour drive."
The company's special winter package was also a hit with Aucklanders.