Tanker Strikes Docked Passenger Vessel In New Orleans
Updated 6 p.m. November 13
No one was reported critically injured, but 32 people were hospitalized after a tanker struck American Cruise Lines’ river cruiseboat the mv. American Heritage at about 12:30 p.m. November 13 in New Orleans as passengers were disembarking. All passengers were accounted for.
The American Heritage rolled onto its side, causing some people to jump into the water and others to scramble to shore. No one aboard the tanker, the Atlantic Asphalt, was injured, according to state and federal officials speaking at a news conference about four hours later.
“This is a miracle on the Mississippi,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said at the news conference.
The collision happened at Lower Mississippi River Mile 96. Traffic on the river was halted while rescue operations were underway. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said at the news conference that the river would be opened as soon as possible to keep commerce flowing but that traffic likely would be one direction at first.
Eighty-seven people were evacuated from the American Heritage before it rolled onto its side, police and fire officials said. Of the 32 hospitalized, 30 were passengers and the other two were first responders assisting with the evacuation, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said.
Local media reports described the contact as the tanker “T-boning” the cruiseboat, and at least one video showed the tanker hitting the cruiseboat, which was docked.
Several boats, including towboats, were reported rescuing people from the water. Landry thanked the first responders, including the towboat crews who “jumped into action.” Moreno said between 180 and 190 people, including crew, were aboard the vessel.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were assembled but delayed by a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop caused by a communications problem.
The Atlantic Asphalt (IMO 9798428) is an asphalt and bitumen carrier sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is owned by Scott Owen Savage, a South Carolina entrepreneur and third-generation construction veteran.
Earlier Report
A tanker struck a docked passenger cruise boat in New Orleans at about 12:30 p.m. November 13 as passengers were disembarking, turning it onto its side. Some people jumped into the water, others scrambled to shore and dozens more were taken to nearby hospitals.
Local news organizations reported that the tanker was the Atlantic Asphalt and the passenger vessel was the mv. American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines. The incident happened at Mile 96 on the Lower Mississippi River. Traffic on the river was halted while rescue operations were underway, and it remained halted at the time of this report.
Several TV reports described the tanker as “T-boning” the passenger vessel. Multiple towboat and tugboat operators responded to assist in the recovery, and video feeds showed six to eight vessels helping with rescue efforts.
Some passengers were taken to a nearby Port of New Orleans building to determine whether they needed hospital care. News organizations reported wheelchairs being brought to the riverfront. The American Heritage can carry up to 150 passengers plus crew.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry were on the scene.
Coast Guard boats and other responders were still searching for passengers in the water at the time of this report. TV reports showed some passengers clinging to the side of the vessel, jumping into the water or being rescued in life vests.
The Atlantic Asphalt (IMO 9798428) is an asphalt and bitumen carrier that sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is owned by Scott Owen Savage, a South Carolina entrepreneur and third-generation construction veteran.
The Waterways Journal will update this story as more facts emerge.
