A tanker collision on the Mississippi River in New Orleans caused a docked riverboat to capsize Friday, November 13, sending passengers into the water and leaving 32 people hospitalized. Authorities said everyone aboard the American Heritage had been accounted for by Friday evening, with no deaths or critical injuries reported.
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The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage, a paddlewheel cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines, at approximately 12:30 p.m. near the Port of New Orleans administration building. The vessel had docked about two hours earlier for passengers to begin disembarking. Port officials said roughly 129 passengers and additional crew members were aboard. The Associated Press reported 180 people on the cruise ship altogether.
Videos of the tanker collision show the larger tanker hitting the stationary riverboat. The American Heritage soon began taking on water and tilting sharply before rolling onto its side. Some people climbed over railings as others entered the Mississippi River wearing life jackets or holding flotation devices. Luggage and debris floated nearby while rescue boats maneuvered around the damaged vessel.
The tanker collision triggered an urgent response from harbor police, New Orleans firefighters, city police, emergency medical teams and the U.S. Coast Guard. Tugboat operators and workers aboard other vessels also joined the effort, helping people out of the water while crews assisted passengers still trying to escape the riverboat. The river water was roughly 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and its strong current added danger for anyone awaiting rescue.
Following the tanker collision, officials said 87 people were evacuated before the vessel overturned. Others had to be rescued after the boat rolled, including people pulled from the river. New Orleans Harbor Police Chief Melanie Montroll said two officers who entered the water during the rescue were later hospitalized and were in good condition. No injuries were reported aboard the tanker. Local station WBRZ reported that the Creole Queen, another riverboat, helped rescue 14 people.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed the hospitalizations during an afternoon briefing. “Right now we have 32 passengers from the cruise ship that are in our local hospitals. None with any critical injury,” she said. Moreno called the outcome “a miracle on the Mississippi,” crediting first responders and volunteers who moved quickly to bring everyone to safety.
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The tanker collision unfolded near the Crescent City Connection bridge, one of the city’s major river crossings. Witness Jamie Holford described hearing the enormous vessels hit. “It sounded like a war movie,” he told CBS News. Port worker Devon Flanagan, who saw the overturned ship and people in the water, told the Associated Press, “It was just chaos.”
Rescued passengers were taken to the Port of New Orleans administration building for medical evaluation and assistance. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the state would help affected travelers with accommodations and getting home. “The Mississippi River is not some quiet pond,” Landry said, emphasizing the dangerous conditions confronting rescuers.
The cause of the tanker collision remains under investigation. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said an apparent steering problem was being examined but cautioned that the explanation remained unconfirmed. “The investigation is still ongoing, there seems to be some kind of a loss of steering,” she said. Authorities have not announced a final cause or assigned responsibility.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it was sending investigators to New Orleans, with its team expected Saturday, November 14. The Coast Guard shut down river traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 during the emergency and was assessing when vessels could safely pass again. Crews were also examining how to recover the capsized American Heritage.
The 520-foot Atlantic Asphalt is designed to transport asphalt and bitumen, materials used in road construction and roofing. It was unclear whether the tanker carried cargo. The American Heritage, built in 2015, is a five-story river cruise vessel with capacity for around 150 passengers.
American Cruise Lines said the tanker collision happened while its boat was docked and confirmed that its passengers and crew were evacuated. “Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved,” the company said. The rescue operation ended with everyone accounted for, while the investigation into how the crash happened was just beginning.
