The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage riverboat on the Mississippi River on Friday. All passengers and crew were accounted for, and 32 people were hospitalized with no critical injuries reported.
A tanker ship struck a docked riverboat on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, causing the cruise ship to capsize at its dock and prompting a wide-scale search-and-rescue operation, authorities said.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Heritage passenger boat while it was docked at the Port of New Orleans’ Thalia Street Terminal. The riverboat was on its side and largely submerged in water after the collision.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said at a news conference that all passengers of the riverboat were accounted for. A city of New Orleans spokesperson said on Friday that 32 people were hospitalized. On Saturday the city’s deputy mayor of health and human services said two people had serious injuries. Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana called it a “literal miracle on the Mississippi” that all of the nearly 200 people aboard the riverboat were rescued.
The National Transportation Safety Board arrived in New Orleans on Saturday to investigate the crash and recovered the tanker’s voyage data recorder. NTSB board member John DeLeeuw said, “It’s like a flight data recorder on an aircraft where we can look at speeds and all kinds of information.” The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report in 30 days, and complete findings, including the cause of the crash, could take 18 to 24 months to compile.
The Port of New Orleans is suing the owners and managers of the tanker for more than $1 million in damage to port property. The lawsuit, filed in federal court late Friday, names the tanker, the M/V Atlantic Asphalt, its owner Nave Shipping SA and its management company Thome Ship Management Pte, Ltd. The lawsuit alleges that the tanker and companies failed “to use all available means to avoid the risk of” colliding with the stationary riverboat.
Thome posted a statement on Saturday morning confirming the crew of the Atlantic Asphalt is safe and accounted for. It said the tanker had been separated from the riverboat and is stably anchored for damage assessments. “OSM Thome is fully complying with the local authorities as they carry out the necessary investigations,” the company said.
The Coast Guard is working to offload hazardous materials from the American Heritage, including an estimated 16,000 gallons of fuel. Officials said salvaging the ship could take weeks. The American Heritage remains submerged in 25 feet of water, resting on its side in the river.
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said Saturday that mayday calls suggest a technical failure. “I do not have any indication that this is terrorism related in any way, shape or form, but again the investigators will continue working through that,” Burnham said.
The tanker has been towed away and is docked in Gretna. Investigators plan to board it this weekend. Over the next seven days, the NTSB plans to interview witnesses, examine both vessels, collect crash videos and send divers into the Mississippi River to retrieve evidence.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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