‘Miracle on the Mississippi’: No fatalities after tanker crashes into river cruiser near Port of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage sits on its side in the Mississippi River in front of the Port NOLA offices after a tanker allided with the docked river cruiser Friday. Officials said all passengers were accounted for and 32 people were sent to hospitals for non-critical injuries.

Dozens of lights were brought in to illuminate the two disabled ships. Coast Guard boats are at the site along the New Orleans Riverwalk.

The Port of New Orleans press secretary said the Atlantic Asphalt tanker allided with the American Heritage around 12:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 13).

An allision, different from a collision, is when a moving ship crashes into a stationary one.

The river cruiser was docked on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place when the tanker crashed into it, Port NOLA said. The ship docked two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, Port NOLA said.

Port NOLA said 192 people were aboard the American Heritage. After the impact, passengers were ordered to evacuate.

The ship started filling with water and capsizing. Many passengers fell into the water, and others gripped the side of the boat.

City leaders said harbor police, New Orleans firefighters, neighboring boats and other first responders responded.

“As soon as it was reported, everybody ran to it,” Mayor Helena Moreno said.

Capt. Melanie Burnham of the U.S. Coast Guard also spoke about the response.

“We are grateful for all of our partners that showed up immediately. It made a difference in our rescue efforts,” Burnham said.

Passengers sought refuge at the Port NOLA office, feet from the wreck. Port NOLA officials said passengers were brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building.

“We put everyone in the auditorium and we started doing roll call and we started to figure out where everyone was,” Moreno said.

At 2 p.m., Gov. Jeff Landry confirmed he was aware of the incident and was heading to New Orleans.

At 2:10 p.m., Moreno’s communication team said multiple individuals had been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remained ongoing. Moreno responded to the incident with the following statement:

“Emergency crews are responding to a collision involving a cargo ship and a riverboat cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans. Multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing. Public safety agencies are coordinating response efforts, with the immediate priority being the safety and rescue of those involved. This remains an active and developing incident. Updates to follow.”

The NOLA Ready team said that for information on people missing in the crash, people can call 311 in New Orleans or 504-539-3266.

At 4:11 p.m., Moreno said all crew and passengers had been accounted for, with no fatalities. She said 32 people were hospitalized and no one was in critical condition.

Officials said cruise passengers will stay at nearby hotels overnight while they work on return trips home.

The Coast Guard is the lead agency investigating how the crash happened. Initial evidence points to issues sailing the tanker.

“There seems to be some kind of loss of steering,” Chief Melanie Montroll of New Orleans Harbor Police said.

Montroll said she expects to have information in the next couple of days.

“I should have information internally and share it with everyone in the next couple of days,” Montroll said.

The National Transportation Safety Board launched a Go Team to investigate the collision. The team is set to arrive Saturday morning (Nov. 14).

The U.S. Coast Guard said its “hearts are with the passengers, crew, and families” affected by the allision. The Coast Guard said the river is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96.

Coast Guard officials said the Mississippi River could likely reopen to single-lane water traffic in the coming days. Officials have not said when they expect to remove the river cruiser from the crash site.

“My heart is with the survivors, their families, and everyone who witnessed this horrific accident,” Rep. Troy Carter said. Carter is monitoring the situation and said he commends the actions of the emergency response teams.

President Trump thanked the Coast Guard in a post on Truth Social.

“Thank you to the United States Coast Guard for doing such an incredible job of rescue, and other work, having to do with the crash of the two ships in Louisiana,” Trump posted.

“Likewise, all of Law Enforcement and First Responders were fantastic! Incredibly, nobody was killed by this major collision. 32 people are in the hospital. Thank you to Governor Jeff Landry for your outstanding leadership during this very agonizing period of time.”

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