Tanker hits docked riverboat American Heritage in New Orleans with about 129 aboard

Collision at the port

A tanker, the Atlantic Asphalt, struck the American Heritage on Friday, 13 November, at about 12:30 local time. The American Heritage is a passenger riverboat operated by American Cruise Lines, and it was tied up at the Port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River when the tanker hit it. Port officials told local media that about 129 passengers were aboard, in addition to the crew. Reports differ on the boat's status at the time, with some describing it as moored and others as lying at anchor. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, and at least one German report described the striking vessel as a cargo ship rather than a tanker.

Boat on its side and rescue effort

Images and video from the scene show the American Heritage lying on its side beside a dock. The New York Times described the riverboat as having capsized and taken on water after the strike. Some Spanish-language reports said the boat sank, while English and German reports described it lying on its side.

An emergency response source said crews were trying to pull people out of the water. The same source said the tanker may have lost power before it struck the riverboat. The New Orleans Fire Department, the Port of New Orleans police, the New Orleans Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard are all taking part in the response. Early reports did not say how many people were hurt, and no injury count had been published in the sources at the time of writing.

Operator and governor respond

American Cruise Lines said in a statement that it was working closely with the Coast Guard and local officials. The company added:

“Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved.”

The company said it would share more information as it became available. According to the operator, the American Heritage can seat up to 150 guests and has a glass-enclosed restaurant, guest lounges and a fitness center.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said on social media that his office was aware of the incident and that he was heading to New Orleans. The New Orleans harbor police and the Port of New Orleans had not immediately responded to inquiries when the first reports were filed.

What remains open

The reports agree on the core facts: a tanker, a docked riverboat, about 129 passengers and an ongoing rescue. The cause of the collision has not been established in the sources. The tanker's power status rests on the account of one emergency source, and no official confirmation of it appears in the reports. The number of people injured, and the condition of those taken from the water, remain unreported.