All rescued after tanker hits docked cruise ship in New Orleans
The American Heritage cruise ship was left on its side in the Mississippi River after a collision with the Atlantic Asphalt tanker.
Approximately 130 people on the American Heritage cruise ship were rescued after the vessel was struck by the tanker Atlantic Asphalt in New Orleans on Friday, according to BBC News. The collision occurred while the American Cruise Lines paddlewheeler was docked on the Mississippi River. The impact caused the ship to list and eventually tip onto its side.
Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll said calls regarding the collision arrived around 13:30 EST as passengers attempted to escape the boat while it took on water. The Port of New Orleans reported there were about 129 passengers on board at the time of the crash. While 32 people from the riverboat were taken to hospital with non-critical injuries, officials stated that no one is unaccounted for.
US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said there appeared to be some type of loss of steering. The US Coast Guard supported local rescue operations, and river traffic was closed in the vicinity during the search effort. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said his department was coordinating with state officials to assist with the rescue.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno credited first responders for the rescue, stating that all passengers were accounted for. Governor Jeff Landry also described the rescue as a miracle given the number of people on the ship and pledged to investigate the incident. The American Heritage was finishing an eight-day cruise to destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi at the time of the accident.