A major maritime rescue operation was launched in New Orleans on November 13th, 2026, after the asphalt tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with the ACL-American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River. The incident occurred at ~12:30 p.m. local time, while the passenger vessel was docked near the French Quarter and preparing for passenger disembarkation.
The tanker struck the 5-deck riverboat broadside, causing it to take on water and eventually capsize. 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard American Heritage. All passengers and crew from both vessels were eventually accounted for. 32 passengers were transported to local hospitals with non-critical injuries, while no fatalities were reported.
The rescue operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard, New Orleans Fire Department, local police and port authorities, with assistance from nearby vessels. The riverboat, which had arrived at the port ~2 hours before the collision, was scheduled to depart on a 7-day Mississippi River cruise.
Initial reports indicated that Atlantic Asphalt may have lost steering control before striking the passenger vessel. The exact cause remains under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board. The tanker is registered in the Marshall Islands and is associated with Chinese and Liberian ownership interests.
Following the accident, authorities temporarily closed a 3-mile section of the Mississippi River between mile markers 93 and 96 to allow rescue operations and an initial assessment of the incident. Efforts to restore navigation through the affected section were expected to follow once the response activities had been completed.