All passengers and crew were accounted for after the American Heritage capsized, while 32 people were hospitalized with noncritical injuries.
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Dramatic video captured the moment a tanker struck a docked river cruise ship on the Mississippi River on Friday, causing the smaller vessel to roll onto its side and sending passengers into the water as a large rescue operation unfolded.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage at about 12:30 p.m. Nov. 13 near the Crescent City Connection, according to the Port of New Orleans. The American Heritage had arrived at the dock about two hours earlier and passengers were beginning to leave the vessel when the collision occurred. Officials later said everyone aboard was accounted for.
Video recorded from shore shows the much larger tanker approaching the American Heritage and striking its side while the cruise ship was alongside the riverfront. The American Heritage quickly began listing as people moved toward exits and rescuers converged on the scene. Additional footage showed passengers in life jackets in the river and others waiting along the exposed side of the vessel as it settled farther into the water.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said 32 people from the cruise ship were taken to hospitals and none had critical injuries. Port officials initially said about 129 passengers, along with crew members, were aboard. Later accounts from officials placed the combined number of passengers and crew at about 180. Two Harbor Police officers also received hospital treatment after taking part in the rescue and were reported in good condition.
The response brought together Port of New Orleans Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans police, the U.S. Coast Guard, emergency medical crews and nearby maritime workers. Tugboat operators and other people working along the river also helped pull passengers from the water. Those evacuated were taken to the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for medical checks and other assistance.
Moreno said the tanker had lost control before the collision, but federal officials had not established the cause of the crash. The Coast Guard said the cause remained under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board also planned to investigate the collision and determine what happened before the tanker struck the docked passenger vessel.
The American Heritage is a five-deck paddlewheel-style river cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines. It was completing an eight-day Mississippi River itinerary when the collision occurred. The vessel took on water after the impact and eventually capsized alongside the dock. American Cruise Lines said it was cooperating with authorities and working to assist its passengers.
The Atlantic Asphalt is a roughly 520-foot tanker designed to carry asphalt and bitumen. No injuries were reported among those aboard the tanker. Authorities did not immediately announce whether its cargo contributed to any environmental threat, and no confirmed spill was reported in the initial accounts reviewed following the crash.
The Coast Guard temporarily restricted vessel traffic near the collision site while crews carried out rescue work and assessed the damaged ships. New Orleans ferry operations were also suspended as a precaution during the emergency response. Officials focused first on confirming that everyone from the American Heritage had been located before turning to recovery and investigation work.
By Friday evening, authorities said all passengers and crew from the American Heritage had been accounted for, ending fears that people remained missing in the river. Investigators were expected to examine the tanker’s navigation and steering systems, crew actions and other evidence as they work to determine the cause of the collision.
Author note: Last updated November 14, 2026.