Tanker Collides with Cruise Ship in New Orleans, Dozens Rescued from Water
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 7 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A tanker collided with a cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, sending passengers into the water and triggering a major rescue operation. The American Heritage river cruise vessel, operated by American Cruise Lines, was struck by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT), according to reports citing unnamed Port of New Orleans officials . Television footage from the scene showed the cruise ship listing significantly on its side, with passengers in life vests struggling in the water . The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed it responded to the collision and closed all river traffic in the vicinity, though it provided no further details .
Key Points
- The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage cruise ship at around 12:30 p.m. local time while the vessel was docked on the Mississippi River
- CBS News reported at least 14 people had been rescued from the water following the collision
- The American Heritage had 129 passengers aboard out of its 150-person capacity and was built in 2015
- The U.S. Coast Guard closed all river traffic in the area and stated it was coordinating rescue operations
- American Cruise Lines confirmed the collision and stated it was working closely with the Coast Guard and local authorities
Why It Matters
This collision highlights the potential for catastrophic accidents when large commercial vessels operate near passenger ships in busy port areas, prompting scrutiny of maritime safety protocols and emergency response procedures in major American ports .
This collision highlights the potential for catastrophic accidents when large commercial vessels operate near passenger ships in busy port areas, prompting scrutiny of maritime safety protocols and emergency response procedures in major American ports .