Tanker Strikes Docked Cruise Ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans
Published by Dunk Law Firm
Published:
Updated : Replaced the article images with a new editorial illustration of a riverboat, a tanker, and rescue boats. The images are illustrations, not photographs of the actual scene.
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Dunk Law Firm · Published Nov. 13, 2026 · Developing story
On Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m., the tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with American Cruise Lines' river cruise ship American Heritage, which was docked at the Port of New Orleans, according to Port of New Orleans press secretary Kimberly Curth.
What officials have said so far
- The ship: The American Heritage is a 300-foot paddle-wheel vessel built in 2015. It had docked about two hours earlier so passengers could begin disembarking. According to the port, about 129 passengers were aboard when it was struck, plus crew.
- Rescues: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno's office said "multiple individuals have been rescued." Video from local stations showed a tugboat crew pulling people in life jackets out of the river.
- Injuries: According to spokesperson Caitlin Russo, Acadian Ambulance took eight people from the port's administration building to area hospitals. Their injuries had not been released.
- The ship rolled: Video showed the American Heritage slowly rolling onto its side after the impact. A witness told WDSU it took about 15 minutes from impact to roll over.
- Cause: Officials have not given a cause. An emergency response source told The Guardian the tanker may have lost power, but that has not been confirmed. Ship-tracking data showed the tanker drifting to its right after it passed the Crescent City Connection bridge near Algiers Point.
- River closure: The U.S. Coast Guard closed the river to vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 during the response.
- Cruise line: American Cruise Lines said guests and crew were evacuated.
This is a developing story. We will update this page as officials release verified information.
What passengers, crew and families can do now
- Get medical care and keep the records. Some injuries, including head and back injuries, may not show up right away.
- Keep what you have. Hold onto your boarding documents, receipts, photos, videos and the names of witnesses.
- Be careful what you sign. Talk to a lawyer before you sign a release or give a recorded statement to a cruise line, vessel owner or insurer.
- Know that deadlines can be short. Cruise tickets often set notice periods and filing deadlines that are shorter than in ordinary injury cases. Maritime law may also apply.
Free case review
If you were aboard the American Heritage, if you work on the river, or if you have questions about a family member who was involved, you can request a free, confidential case review. Call (888) 551-3865 or use the form below.
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The images published with this article are editorial illustrations, not photographs of the actual scene.
Attorney advertising. This page summarizes public reports and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page or contacting us. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Dunk Law Firm is not affiliated with American Cruise Lines, the operators of the Atlantic Asphalt, or any government agency. Source: The Guardian, "Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River in New Orleans," Nov. 13, 2026.