A tanker lost steering and struck a docked river cruise ship in New Orleans, flipping the vessel onto its side and sending dozens of passengers into the Mississippi River.
Tanker Hits Cruise Ship in New Orleans
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker slammed into the American Heritage paddlewheeler at about 12:30 p.m. while the cruise ship was tied up at the Port of New Orleans and beginning to let passengers off, according to the Port of New Orleans. The impact rolled the 81-meter vessel onto its side against a terminal.
Emergency crews, tugboat operators, nearby workers, and police rushed to the water to pull passengers and crew to safety.
Due to the residual delays from the nationwide ground stop, the NTSB will no longer send a board member and will instead send a team of investigators by ground to the scene of the vessel collision in New Orleans. No media briefings are planned at this time. Updates on the… https://t.co/3s6A2m1YIc
A riverboat pilot from the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association was aboard the tanker at the time of the incident. Initial evidence points to a loss of steering, though the exact cause is under investigation by the Coast Guard and federal authorities. The ship had already passed the difficult Algiers Point turn on the Mississippi River before the collision occurred.
“We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” said Helena Moreno, mayor of New Orleans.
AIS track of the Atlantic Asphalt before the New Orleans collision pic.twitter.com/PLnGswANe4
Thirty-Two People Hospitalized After Crash
Thirty-two people were taken to the hospital following the collision, with none reported to have critical injuries.
Medical teams from University Medical Center and other partners evaluated patients at the scene and at the Port of New Orleans Administration Building, where survivors gathered in the auditorium for roll call.
I am devastated to hear about the ships crashing near the Port of New Orleans. I am monitoring the situation closely and praying for the swift rescue of survivors and for all emergency crews responding to the situation.https://t.co/igj4ViRvGX
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joined local officials at the scene, and said that passengers were being triaged for their needs and would be provided with places to stay before reuniting with their loved ones. Hotel rooms were secured for impacted passengers whose belongings stayed on the capsized ship.
“Our top priority now is the safe removal of the hazardous material on board the American Heritage,” said Melanie Burnham, commander of the Coast Guard sector of New Orleans and the captain of the port.
Port Files Lawsuit Over Tanker Collision
“The allision occurred as a result of the negligence, gross negligence, fault or carelessness of the Atlantic Asphalt, Nave Shipping, Thome (and potentially other parties not yet identified with responsibility for the operation, condition, crewing and seaworthiness of the Atlantic Asphalt),” the lawsuit alleges related to the operation and condition of the Atlantic Asphalt, which is a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel owned by a subsidiary of a Chinese company.
A judge issued a warrant giving federal officials control of the ship, and the tanker has since been towed to a different location.
UPDATE: All individuals involved in today's vessel collision on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans have been accounted for, with no reported fatalities or critical injuries. For the latest information read the City's full press release at https://t.co/peElpWszmQ pic.twitter.com/jwRPeACPMv
The U.S. Coast Guard established a safety zone and restricted vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 on the Mississippi River. The Coast Guard said that about 16,000 gallons of fuel remain on board the American Heritage.
“We are grateful for all of our partners that showed up immediately. It made a difference in our rescue efforts,” said Burnham.
NOLAREADY: For information on missing persons potentially involved in today's river collision, call 3-1-1 in New Orleans or 504-539-3266 outside New Orleans.
Earlier coverage: Tanker Crash: New Orleans Mayor Calls it 'Miracle on the Mississippi
Earlier this afternoon a tanker hit a cruise ship along the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The cruise ship took on water and eventually flipped. Because of the heroic work of our first responders ALL PASSENGERS have been accounted for. This is nothing short of a miracle.… pic.twitter.com/dol1SsaRcN