Tanker Strikes Moored Riverboat in New Orleans, Stranding 129 Passengers
The American Heritage took a hit from an Atlantic Asphalt tanker near the Port of New Orleans on Friday afternoon.
By Diego Mendoza ·
129 passengers were aboard the American Heritage when the vessel struck the side of the docked riverboat on Friday.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker made contact with the American Cruise Lines ship around 12:30 p.m. local time. Officials stated the cruise ship was moored on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place. The vessel, built in 2015 and five stories high, was completing an eight-day itinerary through Louisiana and Mississippi. It has a maximum capacity of 150 people.
Governor Jeff Landry confirmed he was traveling to the site. Mayor Helena Moreno’s team reported that multiple individuals were already in the water in life jackets. Rescuers moved survivors to a nearby Port of New Orleans building. Video from the scene showed floating luggage and debris in the river.
The U.S. Coast Guard closed the river to all other vessels. The agency said its hearts were with the affected passengers, crew, and families. Authorities had not released specific numbers for injuries or deaths at the time of reporting. The collision occurred near the Port of New Orleans, a major hub for river traffic in the region.
The American Heritage is operated by American Cruise Lines. It was finishing its final leg of the trip before the impact. The Coast Guard remained on scene as rescue operations continued in the immediate aftermath of the strike.
