A tanker struck a river cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, sending passengers into the water and leaving 32 passengers hospitalised, none with critical injuries, authorities said.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines boat American Heritage about 12:30 p.m. local time, according to the Port of New Orleans. The paddle-wheeler, built in 2015, had docked at the Port of New Orleans about two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, port press secretary Kimberly Curth said.
Videos show the much larger tanker approaching the stationary cruise ship before making contact. The American Heritage slowly listed and came to rest on its side, partially submerged in shallow water. Witness Jamie Holford told local NBC affiliate WDSU that it took about 15 minutes "from impact to where it rolled over." He described the scene as "surreal."
Mayor Helena Moreno called the fact that all passengers had been accounted for “a miracle on the Mississippi.” A statement from her office said “multiple individuals have been rescued” and that “public safety agencies are coordinating response efforts, with the immediate priority being the safety and rescue of those involved.”
About 130 people were aboard the American Heritage when it was struck. Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said at least 12 people were pulled from the river. Footage showed rescue teams in boats pulling people in life jackets from the water, while some passengers clung to the side of the listing vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard closed the river to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 to assist responders.
The tanker, registered in the Marshall Islands and measuring 160 metres long, had just passed the Crescent City Connection bridge when it began drifting to starboard, according to marine tracking data. Maritime law expert Martin J Davies of Tulane University said the tanker was fortunate it had not struck the bridge, which carries an estimated 160,000 vehicles a day.
American Cruise Lines said in a statement that "guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved." The Port of New Orleans said its "immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders."
The cause of the collision was not immediately clear. An emergency response source told The Guardian it was possible the tanker lost power before striking the cruise ship, but that had not been confirmed. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was heading to New Orleans, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said his department was throwing every asset it had into helping rescue missing passengers. Officials scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. CT.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Highlights the risks posed to docked passenger vessels in busy commercial waterways, even in calm conditions.
- The rapid multi-agency rescue response likely prevented a higher casualty count in a fast-moving river current.
- Raises questions about navigation safety and contingency measures for large vessels transiting urban river bends near bridges and moored ships.
Background
The American Heritage is a 300-foot paddle-wheel riverboat with more than 80 staterooms, built in 2015 and formerly named the Queen of the Mississippi. It operated cruises along the Mississippi River. The Atlantic Asphalt is a 160-metre tanker registered in the Marshall Islands. The Port of New Orleans is a major hub on the Mississippi, and the stretch near the Crescent City Connection bridge is a congested section with frequent barge and ship traffic.
Key Perspectives
- New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno: described the outcome as "a miracle on the Mississippi" and confirmed that all passengers were accounted for with no critical injuries.
- American Cruise Lines: said guests and crew were evacuated and that the company is "deeply concerned for everyone involved."
- Witness Jamie Holford: told WDSU it took 15 minutes from impact to rollover and called the scene "surreal."
- Maritime law expert Martin J Davies: noted the tanker was fortunate not to have struck the Crescent City Connection bridge.
What to Watch
- The 3 p.m. CT news conference from officials, expected to provide more details on injuries, investigations, and the condition of the tanker.
- Whether the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause, including the possibility that the tanker lost power.
- Potential environmental concerns if the tanker leaked fuel or cargo, though no such reports have emerged so far.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 4 sources: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck a docked river cruise ship in New Orleans on Friday.7NEWS: “There were 130 people onboard American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck it in the Port of New Orleans about 12.30pm on Friday local time.”
- SupportedThirty-two passengers were hospitalised, and none had critical injuries.7NEWS: “Thirty-two passengers were hospitalised in the collision, though none of those injuries were critical, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno told reporters.”
- SupportedAll passengers had been accounted for, officials said.7NEWS: “All of the passengers had been accounted for, she said.”
- SupportedJamie Holford said it took 15 minutes “from impact to where it rolled over.”World news | The Guardian: “One witness, Jamie Holford, told local NBC News affiliate WDSU that it took 15 minutes “from impact to where it rolled over”.”
- SupportedJamie Holford described the scene as “surreal.”World news | The Guardian: ““Surreal – that’s what that was,” Holford said.”
- SupportedMayor Helena Moreno called the fact that passengers were accounted for “a miracle on the Mississippi.”7NEWS: “Moreno called that fact “a miracle on the Mississippi”.”
- SupportedThe mayor’s office said “multiple individuals have been rescued.”World news | The Guardian: “A statement from the office of the New Orleans mayor, Helena Moreno, on Friday afternoon said that “multiple individuals have been rescued”.”
- Reports differAbout 130 people were aboard the American Heritage when it was struck.WA Today - Latest News: “A tanker in New Orleans that apparently lost its steering slammed into the docked American Heritage river cruise paddleboat with 180 people aboard on Friday, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said.”
- SupportedLouisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said at least 12 people were pulled from the river.RTÉ News: “Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told NBC affiliate WDSU by phone that at least 12 people were pulled from the water”
- SupportedAn emergency response source said it was possible the tanker lost power before the collision, but that was unconfirmed.World news | The Guardian: “The emergency response source said it was possible the tanker had lost power before striking the American Heritage, but that had not been confirmed.”
- SupportedThe Coast Guard closed river traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 to assist responders.World news | The Guardian: “A statement from the US Coast Guard said the river “is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96”, encompassing the area where Friday’s crash occurred. That is so to assist responders”
- SupportedAmerican Cruise Lines said, “guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved.”7NEWS: ““We are in close coordination with the US Coast Guard and local authorities. Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved,” the company said in a statement.”