Tanker hits and capsizes riverboat American Heritage in New Orleans; 32 hospitalized, none missing

The collision

On Friday, 13 November, the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage, a riverboat tied up at the port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River. The impact was reported at around 12:30 local time. The American Heritage had docked about two hours earlier so that its passengers could begin disembarking. Emergency services sources said the tanker may have lost power shortly before it hit the moored vessel. The riverboat's operator, American Cruise Lines, confirmed in a post on X that the ship was involved in a collision while berthed in New Orleans. As passengers made their way off, the riverboat began to list, then rolled onto its side, and people fell into the river.

Passengers and rescue

Mayor Elena Moreno told an afternoon press conference that no one was missing. Thirty-two passengers were taken to hospital, and she said none of them had critical injuries. Port authorities confirmed that about 129 passengers were aboard at the time of impact, in addition to the crew. The mayor's estimate, which covers passengers and crew together, is 180 to 190 people on board. Rescuers included tugboat crews, police, firefighters and other responders, who pulled people from the river, some wearing life vests and others clinging to life rings. Moreno credited the speed of local, state and federal responders, along with people on nearby vessels, for the outcome. Passengers who got off safely were taken to the port's administration building, where they were being housed temporarily.

Cause under investigation

Melanie Burnam, head of the New Orleans Coast Guard unit, told the New Orleans Advocate that the tanker appeared to have suffered some kind of steering system failure. The exact cause remains under investigation, and Burnam said the probe would take time, with her expecting to have a clearer sense of its direction within a few days. Moreno said the tanker lost control before striking the riverboat. The US Coast Guard said in a statement that traffic on the Mississippi in the area has been halted.

Reaction and the vessel

President Donald Trump praised the incredible rescue work of the rapid-response teams in a post on Truth Social. He wrote that it was admirable that no one had been killed in the collision. Witness Jamie Holford said he saw the riverboat hit the dock after the collision. Holford described a loud sound like steel groaning, and said he saw passengers and crew screaming and crying as they tried to climb off the sinking boat. According to the operator's website, the American Heritage was built in 2015, has at least four decks and can carry up to 150 people. It has a glass-enclosed restaurant, a gym and three guest lounges. At the time of the collision, the boat was completing an eight-day cruise to destinations on the Mississippi in Louisiana and Mississippi.