New Orleans – A large tanker collided with the American Heritage riverboat on Friday afternoon, capsizing the cruise vessel and prompting a massive rescue operation on the Mississippi River. The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. in the Port of New Orleans, one of the nation’s busiest ports, while passengers were disembarking.
Details of the crash
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was T‑bodied by the tanker Atlantic Asphalt, which is registered in the Marshall Islands and owned by Chinese and Liberian interests, according to public records. The riverboat had been docked near the French Quarter for roughly two hours before the collision, and between 180 and 190 people were aboard, Mayor Helena Moreno said.
When the tanker lost control and struck the vessel, the riverboat began to sink and eventually flipped over. Moreno described the scene: “When that occurred, we started to have people in the water.” She added that the rescue effort was an “all hands on deck approach.”
Rescue and injuries
All passengers were accounted for, and 32 were hospitalized, though none of the injuries were deemed critical. Moreno called the fact that everyone survived “a miracle on the Mississippi.” A passenger, Rhonda Akers, told NBC News she had to crawl over the railing to safety after the boat flipped a second time. Her husband was hospitalized with a head injury.
Coast Guard officials closed a three‑mile stretch of the river while responders assessed the situation and worked to reopen the waterway as quickly as possible. Video and images verified by NBC News show numerous people wearing life jackets in the water near the crash site.
Investigation underway
The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the collision. Officials noted that the investigation was delayed because of a nationwide ground stop at airports, which slowed the arrival of transportation investigators to the Crescent City.
Mayor Moreno emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of the Mississippi River’s busy commercial traffic.
Community response
New Orleans residents and visitors expressed gratitude for the swift response of emergency crews. Social media posts highlighted the professionalism of first responders and the resilience of the city’s waterfront community.
Authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the New Orleans Police Department or the Coast Guard.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
