Symbolic imageAll aboard accounted for after tanker strikes docked cruise ship in New Orleans
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt hit the docked river cruise ship American Heritage on the Mississippi on Friday, and the ship rolled onto its side. All passengers and crew were accounted for.
The collision happened at about 12.30pm on Friday, 13 November, roughly two hours after the American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, had docked and begun disembarking passengers. Some people ended up in the river before a multi-agency rescue got them out. Mayor Helena Moreno called the outcome "a miracle on the Mississippi". Thirty-two people went to hospitals, none critically hurt: 30 from the ship, mostly with bumps and bruises, and two harbor police officers who joined the rescue. Early reports spoke of 129 passengers, while the Port of New Orleans later stated that 197 were aboard.
Cause under investigation
Coast Guard sector commander Melanie Burnham said the tanker apparently suffered "some type of loss of steering", but officials have not confirmed a cause. Governor Jeff Landry announced an investigation. Moreno said the tanker narrowly missed a bridge carrying about 160,000 vehicles daily.