Emergency crews responded quickly after the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines vessel American Heritage on the Mississippi River outside the Port of New Orleans. The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the cruise ship was docked to begin passenger disembarkation.
What happened
According to the Port of New Orleans, the tanker struck the cruise ship near the Crescent City Connection on the Jefferson Parish side of the river. At the time of the collision, roughly 129 passengers and an unknown number of crew members were on board the American Heritage. Twelve people were thrown into the water and required immediate rescue.
Response effort
Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and emergency medical personnel all converged on the scene. Passengers were moved into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place for triage and assistance.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the allision have not yet been confirmed. Additional updates will be provided as information is confirmed,” the Port said in a news release.
Impact on the cruise line
American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. river and small‑ship cruise operator, runs more than 25 vessels that are 100 % owned and operated in the United States. The company has not yet released a statement on the incident, but the rapid response by local agencies helped keep the situation under control.
What’s next
Investigators from the Coast Guard and other agencies will examine the cause of the collision. The Port of New Orleans has indicated that the incident is still developing, and further details will be shared as they become available. Passengers who were on the American Heritage are being monitored for any injuries, and families have been notified.
Residents and visitors are reminded to stay clear of the river area while emergency crews conduct their work. The Port will provide updates through its official channels.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
