NEW ORLEANS (Azat TV) – Emergency response agencies launched multi-agency rescue operations on Friday, November 13, 2026, after the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with American Cruise Lines’ docked American Heritage riverboat on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, according to WDSU. The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, where the vessel had arrived two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, as reported by Cruise Radio. Approximately 129 passengers and an unspecified number of crew members were aboard the paddlewheel riverboat at the time of the impact, with preliminary reports indicating that 12 people entered the water during the collision.
The Mississippi River water temperature hovered around 66 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the accident, introducing immediate hypothermia risks for individuals in the water, as noted by Cruise Radio. Multi-agency rescue teams, including the Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and emergency medical personnel, rushed to the scene. Rescuers pulled multiple people from the river while secondary response units established a secure perimeter and implemented a partial river closure.
Evacuation and Triage Operations
Evacuated passengers and crew members were directed into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place for emergency triage, shelter, and medical assistance. Photographs from the scene and local news broadcasts showed the 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat listing heavily or lying on its side following the severe impact, with emergency responders checking the vessel for structural breaches and active flooding.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident,” the Port of New Orleans stated in an official news release published by WDSU. Authorities noted that the definitive number of injuries and the exact cause of the allision had not yet been confirmed as of Friday afternoon.
Vessel Background and Corporate Response
American Cruise Lines confirmed the collision through an official corporate statement, assuring the public that guests and crew were being evacuated with the assistance of federal and local responders. “We are in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved,” the company stated to Cruise Radio.
The American Heritage is a 150-passenger paddlewheel riverboat built in 2015, operating under the American Cruise Lines banner after previously sailing as the Queen of the Mississippi. The vessel is U.S.-flagged and dedicated to domestic river itineraries. American Cruise Lines operates a fleet of over 25 ships entirely within the United States. While preliminary witness statements and informal accounts suggested the Atlantic Asphalt tanker might have suffered a sudden power loss prior to striking the docked vessel, federal maritime investigators and the U.S. Coast Guard emphasized that the official cause remains under active investigation.
Ongoing Agency Investigations and Next Steps
Local emergency management officials urged the public to stay clear of the downtown waterfront and the Port NOLA complex to allow unobstructed access for incoming emergency vehicles, tow vessels, and medical transport units. The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the marine casualty investigation to determine navigational factors, environmental conditions, and mechanical reliability of the vessels involved.
As recovery and inspection operations continue along the Mississippi River corridor, federal and local authorities are expected to release further updates regarding channel reopening schedules, vessel salvage assessments, and verified medical tallies.