River collision in New Orleans leaves cruise ship capsized

A collision between a tanker and a river cruise boat in New Orleans left the pleasure vessel on its side on the Mississippi River. Authorities confirmed that all 180 passengers and crew members from both ships were accounted for following the crash.

The American Heritage, which was parked at the port of New Orleans, was struck by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker. Mayor Helena Moreno stated at a news conference that 32 passengers from the cruise ship were transported to hospitals. She reported that none of the injured were in critical condition.

Moreno described the survival of everyone involved as a miracle. She noted that many passengers lost identification documents and mobile phones during the accident. This made it difficult for some to reach family members. American Cruise Lines conducted a roll call in a nearby auditorium to verify the status of those not seeking medical treatment.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. Devon Flanagan, a port worker, saw passengers in the water after the cruise ship tipped over. He left his truck to assist and observed other barges and ships attempting to help. Flanagan recalled that the rescue efforts were complicated by the presence of people still in the water.

Coast Guard officials closed a section of the Mississippi River to boat traffic while they conducted rescue operations. An investigation into the cause of the collision has been opened. Early evidence suggests a catastrophic system failure occurred on the tanker. Maritime law expert Martin Davies of Tulane University said the tanker was moving slowly upriver against the current. He noted that the vessel had already cleared a difficult turn at Algiers Point before the incident.

Davies stated that local pilots typically guide vessels through these waters due to their knowledge of the area. The American Heritage was completing an eight-day excursion through Louisiana and Mississippi. The National Transportation Safety Board opened an inquiry into the crash. NTSB investigators were delayed in arriving at the scene after air travel across the United States was suspended for five hours on Friday afternoon.

The Atlantic Asphalt is owned by Nave Shipping SA, a company registered in Monrovia, Liberia. Nave Shipping is a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The tanker transports asphalt and bitumen, materials used for roofing and road construction.