Tanker Collides with River Cruiser Near Port of New Orleans
A tanker, the Atlantic Asphalt, collided with the moored American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River at New Orleans on Friday, prompting a rescue operation. The cause and injury count are not yet confirmed.
Newsnibs Staff
- 2026-11-14
- Updated 1:10 AM UTC
(New Orleans, United States)
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River at New Orleans at about 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday. Rescue operations are underway. The cause of the collision and the number of injuries have not been confirmed.
The American Heritage was moored at the time. It had docked about two hours earlier and had begun letting passengers disembark. The Port of New Orleans and American Cruise Lines put the number aboard at about 129 passengers and crew, though some accounts say more than 130. Bystander video captured the collision.
Accounts of the impact differ. One says the tanker's bow struck the riverboat amidships, damaging it and partially capsizing it. Others, citing unnamed sources, say the tanker hit the riverboat "broadside and hard," and that the boat capsized and is sinking. Several accounts do not describe the vessel's condition at all. The location is also described in different ways: at the downtown waterfront pier next to the convention center, near the Crescent City Connection close to the French Quarter, or simply near the Port of New Orleans.
A city spokesperson said "multiple individuals have been rescued." Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said at least two boats were conducting water rescues. He noted that river cruises typically draw elderly passengers and said the situation "could be pretty bad." American Cruise Lines said "Guests and crew were evacuated" and that it is in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. Some evacuees were taken to the Port of New Orleans Administration Building at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place for triage and mustering.
Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the Coast Guard and New Orleans EMS all responded. Kimberly Curth, a spokesperson for the Port of New Orleans, called it an "active and evolving incident." Port officials said their immediate priority is the safety of passengers, crew and first responders. The Coast Guard said on social media that it is "finding and caring for those who were aboard." It closed the river to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96.
On injuries, one account says an unspecified number of passengers were hurt. Others say the number is unconfirmed. As of 5 p.m. Eastern, rescue teams had not confirmed any deaths or injuries.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced he is heading to New Orleans and is in contact with local officials. Rep. Troy A. Carter, a Louisiana Democrat, said he was "devastated" and was "praying for the swift rescue of survivors."
Photo by Justin Wilkens on Unsplash
