129 passengers aboard cruise ship after tanker collision in New Orleans
The American Heritage toppled near the Ernest Morial Convention Center after being struck by the Atlantic Asphalt at 12:45 p.m. Friday.
By Mariana Flores ·
Residents and visitors along the New Orleans riverfront faced a disruption to ferry service and a closed waterway after a collision between two vessels on Friday afternoon. The incident forced the U.S. Coast Guard to shut down traffic on a segment of the Mississippi River, requiring commuters to use alternate routes across the water.
Port New Orleans officials confirmed that the Atlantic Asphalt, a 500-foot tanker, struck the American Heritage, a 295-foot paddlewheeler, while the cruise ship was docked. The collision occurred around 12:45 p.m. as passengers began to disembark. The American Heritage is a vessel built in 2015 with a capacity for 150 guests. It was scheduled to begin an eight-day round-trip cruise to Natchez that day.
Jonah Gilmore, director of communications for Mayor Helena Moreno, stated that 129 people were aboard the ship at the time of the impact. By 3:45 p.m., University Medical Center in New Orleans reported that it had received approximately two dozen patients connected to the crash. LCMC officials said their teams were evaluating patients and coordinating with emergency responders as the situation remained active.
The U.S. Coast Guard closed the river to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 to ensure the safety of responders and mariners. A statement from the agency noted that crews were on scene with the New Orleans Fire Department and New Orleans EMS. The agency emphasized that its primary focus was finding and caring for those aboard the vessel. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority suspended ferry service across the Mississippi River as a precautionary measure.
Mayor Helena Moreno and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry spoke with rescued passengers at the Port of New Orleans administration building around 3:20 p.m. Some passengers were seen wrapped in blankets while waiting for information. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser noted that the ship is popular with elderly travelers who visit local attractions along the river. He stated that a representative from the cruise line asked him to locate hotel rooms for 85 of the passengers.
New Orleans Fire Department records show that the first alert of a vessel taking on water arrived at 12:30 p.m. The department dispatched a three-alarm contingent of 23 units with 57 personnel to the scene. Firefighters assisted with triage and the transport of individuals pulled from the river. By 2:25 p.m., at least four or five people were visible on top of the toppled ship, throwing ropes toward the shoreline. A tugboat named Madison Stone was chained to the tanker, which sustained a gash several feet wide in its front.
Jonathan Bertuccelli, owner of Studio 3 in Algiers, described hearing three long boat horns while working on a Mardi Gras float. He noted that the captain leaned on the horn consistently. Upon walking to the levee, he observed helicopters, speed boats, and rescue boats converging on the area. American Cruise Lines confirmed the collision in a statement, noting that guests and crew were evacuated and that the company is coordinating with federal and local authorities.
Authorities have not yet determined how many people remain unaccounted for. New Orleans officials released phone numbers for the public to report missing persons. Residents in the area were directed to call 311, while those outside the area were instructed to dial 504-539-3266. The last recorded update indicated that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
