Tanker strikes docked American Heritage cruise ship in New Orleans; all aboard accounted for
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans at about 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026. The cruise ship, carrying roughly 129 passengers plus crew, listed and largely submerged. All aboard were accounted for, with about 32 passengers hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and no fatalities reported. Officials cited a possible loss of steering; the Coast Guard and NTSB are investigating, and the river was temporarily closed.
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Tanker Collides with River Cruise Ship Near New Orleans; All 130 Passengers Survive
A tanker named Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Cruise Lines river cruise ship American Heritage near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, November 13, 2026, at around 12:30 p.m. The cruise ship, carrying over 130 passengers, was anchored in the Mississippi River when the larger tanker struck it, causing the vessel to list and partially sink. Multiple people, including 15 civilians and two firefighters, ended up in the water, but all appeared to be safe. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said no one was missing, calling it "really a miracle on the Mississippi," and reported that 32 passengers were being treated in hospitals, none with life-threatening injuries. Passenger Tamara Carrasco, a retired elementary school teacher from Atlanta, described the tanker crashing through glass windows and water rushing in "like the Titanic." She also said there had been a death on board earlier in the day before the collision. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was traveling to New Orleans and was in close contact with local authorities.
Read sourceTanker Collides with Cruise Ship Near New Orleans, 32 Injured
A tanker ship, the Atlantic Asphalt, collided with the cruise ship American Heritage near New Orleans on the Mississippi River around 12:30 p.m., causing the cruise ship to list and partially sink. The American Heritage was carrying over 130 people. Multiple individuals fell into the water, including 15 civilians and two firefighters, but all appeared to be safe. According to Mayor Helena Moreno, 32 passengers are being treated in hospitals, though no injuries are life-threatening, and no one is missing. Passenger Tamara Carrasco described the scene as 'like the Titanic,' recounting how the tanker smashed through glass windows and water rushed in. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was traveling to New Orleans and was in contact with local authorities. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
Read sourceAll 130 rescued after tanker strikes docked cruise ship in New Orleans
A tanker collided with the docked cruise ship American Heritage on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, leaving the paddlewheeler listing and then lying on its side. About 129 passengers plus crew were aboard; all were rescued, with 32 taken to hospital for non-critical injuries and no one unaccounted for. Officials, including New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Governor Jeff Landry, called it a 'miracle on the Mississippi.' US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said the cause remains under investigation but that 'there seems to be some type of a loss of steering.' The river was closed during the search effort, and tugboat operators, police and other rescuers assisted. President Donald Trump praised the rescue on Truth Social. The American Heritage, built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines, was completing an eight-day river cruise.
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All 130 rescued after cruise ship hit by tanker in New Orleans
A cruise ship docked in New Orleans, the American Heritage, was struck by a cargo vessel, the Atlantic Asphalt, on Friday, leaving it listing and partially submerged in the Mississippi River. About 130 people were rescued, with 32 taken to hospital for non-critical injuries and no one unaccounted for. Officials, including New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Governor Jeff Landry, called the outcome a 'miracle on the Mississippi.' The US Coast Guard said the cause remains under investigation, with a possible loss of steering cited. Witnesses described a loud crash and scenes reminiscent of the Titanic as passengers and crew evacuated. The river was closed during the search effort, and President Donald Trump praised the rescue.
Read sourceTanker Strikes Docked American Heritage Cruise Ship in New Orleans, 32 Injured
A tanker named Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked American Heritage cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans at about 12:30 p.m., according to Port NOLA. All 129 passengers and crew were accounted for, and 32 injured passengers were treated by LCMC Health. The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, had docked about two hours earlier and was beginning to disembark passengers for a planned voyage to Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, and Vicksburg. Federal, state, and local agencies responded, bringing passengers to the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage. The cause of the collision has not been confirmed. American Cruise Lines said it is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities and is deeply concerned for everyone involved.
Read sourceTanker Collides with American Cruise Lines Ship Near New Orleans, Vessel Sinks
A tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines river cruise ship American Heritage near the Port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River, causing the passenger vessel to list and partially sink. More than 130 passengers were aboard at the time of the incident, according to CNN citing harbor authority officials. A fire department spokesperson said several people were in the water, including 15 civilians and two firefighters, and all appeared to be unharmed. Two firefighters were also on the ship to evacuate people. Harbor officials said the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the anchored American Heritage around 12:30 p.m. for reasons still unclear. Footage showed the larger tanker ramming the cruise ship, passengers standing on deck as the vessel tipped, and people in life vests in the water. Later images showed the cruise ship on its side and largely submerged. It is unknown whether anyone was injured. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was en route to New Orleans and in close contact with local authorities.
Read sourceTanker Collides With Docked Cruise Ship on Mississippi River, Dozens Hospitalized
A tanker vessel, the Atlantic Asphalt, collided with the American Cruise Lines' American Heritage cruise ship at about 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2026, while the cruise ship was docked near the Port of New Orleans. Approximately 129 passengers and crew were aboard at the time. More than a dozen people were taken to area hospitals, and at least 12 remain unaccounted for as rescue operations continue. Multiple agencies, including Port NOLA Harbor Police, New Orleans Fire and Police Departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, and emergency medical personnel, are responding. Passengers are being triaged at the Port of New Orleans Administration Building. The Coast Guard closed the river between mile markers 93 and 96. President Trump has been briefed, Mayor Helena Moreno issued a statement prioritizing rescue efforts, and Gov. Jeff Landry is en route to New Orleans. The cause of the allision has not been confirmed.
Read sourceTanker Strikes River Cruise Ship in New Orleans; All Aboard Accounted For
A tanker identified as the Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage paddlewheel cruise ship while it was docked near the Port of New Orleans on Friday around 12:30 p.m. local time, causing the cruise vessel to list and largely submerge. Officials said all passengers and crew were accounted for with no fatalities; about 32 passengers were hospitalized, none with critical injuries, and two harbor police officers were also treated. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said the tanker lost control, describing the rescue as a 'miracle on the Mississippi.' The Coast Guard reported an apparent loss of steering and is investigating alongside the NTSB, which is sending a Go Team. The river was closed following the collision. The American Heritage, built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines, carried about 129 passengers plus crew. The tanker is reportedly owned by a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, according to MarineTraffic.
Read sourceTanker Collides with River Cruise Ship Carrying Nearly 150 Near New Orleans Port
A tanker vessel, the Atlantic Asphalt, collided with the American Cruise Lines' American Heritage river cruiser near the Port of New Orleans around 12:30 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2026. The American Heritage was docked on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, having arrived two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation. Approximately 129 passengers plus crew members were aboard at the time of the collision. Emergency response teams launched rescue operations, and passengers were being brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno's communication team reported that multiple individuals had been rescued, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed he was aware of the incident and was heading to New Orleans. The cause of the collision and the extent of injuries remain unknown, and the story is developing.
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