Tanker Strikes Docked Cruise Ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

Updated : Replaced the featured and social images so the cards show later official figures cited by The Associated Press: 197 people were aboard and all survived; 32 were taken to hospitals; none of the injuries were critical; and eight remained hospitalized as of Nov. 14. The images are illustrations, not photographs of the actual scene. Article text was not changed.

Branded Dunk Law Firm news card about the November 13, 2026, collision at the Port of New Orleans, in which the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked cruise ship American Heritage. Later official reports cited by The Associated Press said 197 people were aboard and all survived, 32 people were taken to hospitals, none of the injuries were critical, and eight remained hospitalized as of November 14, 2026, with sourced facts and the phone number 888-551-3865. The background is an AI-generated editorial illustration, not the actual scene: a riverboat, a tanker, and rescue boats on a river near a city skyline.

Questions after this collision? Call Dunk Law Firm at (888) 551-3865 for a free case review, 24/7.

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. The port initially said about 129 passengers were aboard when it was struck, plus crew. The Associated Press later reported that 197 passengers and crew were aboard the American Heritage, and that all of them survived, as did the tanker's 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 initially took eight people from the port's administration building to area hospitals. Their injuries had not been released at that time. Officials later said 32 people were brought to the hospital, including two police officers thrown into the river when the boat rolled. The Associated Press reported that none of the injuries were critical and that eight people remained hospitalized Saturday, Nov. 14.
  • 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.
  • Passengers: Mayor Helena Moreno said most of the passengers were from out of town. In a Nov. 14 statement, American Cruise Lines said it is arranging flights and hotel accommodations and providing ongoing support for those affected.
  • Cause: Officials have not given a confirmed cause. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said the tanker appeared to lose steering, but the exact cause is not known. An earlier 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 and later said all passengers and crew are safe and accounted for.

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. Sources: The Guardian, "Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River in New Orleans," Nov. 13, 2026; The Associated Press, "New Orleans port sues to get control of tanker that crashed into cruise ship on Mississippi River," Nov. 14, 2026; American Cruise Lines, "American Heritage Update," Nov. 14, 2026.

Additional sources