A tanker crashed into a docked river cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, sending passengers into the water and sparking a major rescue operation.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday, according to Kimberly Curth, a Port of New Orleans spokeswoman. The 300-foot paddle-wheel ship, built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines, had docked about two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place.
Approximately 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard the vessel when it was hit. Footage and images from the scene showed the cruise ship listing to its side and partially submerged in the river near the Ernest Morial Convention Center.
Around the time of the collision, skies were clear with no precipitation, with temperatures in the upper 60s and north winds of 8 to 12 mph, gusting to 15 to 17 mph, with a water temperature around 66 degrees.
The Atlantic Asphalt is a 520-foot vessel sailing under a flag for the Marshall Islands, with a final destination in New Orleans, and is owned by Chinese and Liberian companies.
“It looked like something off the Titanic,” witness Jamie Holford told CBS News.
“It sounded like a war movie. Just imagine tons of steel crunching. That’s what it sounded like,” Holford said, adding that he saw people hurrying off the boat and some climbing over the railings as it rolled over.
First responders deployed boats and helicopters as multiple people were pulled from the water. Rescued passengers wearing life jackets were brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage and assistance.
“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,” said Jonah Gilmore, director of communications for Mayor Helena Moreno, in a statement reported by Nola.
Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, local emergency medical services, and the U.S. Coast Guard joined forces in the response, alongside New Orleans Emergency Medical Services personnel directed by Lt. Stephanie C. Norwood.
“The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with local response partners, is responding to a vessel collision involving a tanker and a cruise ship near mile marker 96 on the Mississippi River,” said Lt. Krystal Wolfe, according to NBC News.
The Coast Guard established a safety zone closing the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96. Additionally, the Regional Transit Authority temporarily suspended ferry services across the river as a precaution.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry traveled to New Orleans following the crash.
“We are aware of the incident on the Mississippi and we are in close contact with local officials and law enforcement. I am headed to New Orleans now,” Landry said on social media, as reported by ABC News.
We are aware of the incident on the Mississippi and we are in close contact with local officials and law enforcement. I am headed to New Orleans now.
Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser worked to secure 85 hotel rooms for passengers affected by the collision, and told ABC News that at least two boats conducted water rescues while expressing concern for the elderly passengers typically drawn to river cruises.
