Paddlewheel Cruise Ship Capsizes on Mississippi River After Tanker Collision

WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (OPA) — A paddlewheel pleasure boat carrying 129 people capsized on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday after being struck by a tanker. The incident occurred shortly after midday when the American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked at the port. The vessel was hit by the Atlantic Asphalt, causing the cruise ship to list heavily and partially submerge in the water.

Footage from the scene showed passengers clinging to the ship's railings while police officers rushed along the dock. Local media reported that 12 people were pulled from the water, while authorities confirmed multiple rescues. The Port of New Orleans stated that the vessel had been docked for two hours to begin passenger disembarkation when the collision took place. The exact number of injuries remains unconfirmed.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced he was heading to the scene, stating that officials were in close contact with local law enforcement. Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed that public safety agencies were coordinating response efforts and that search-and-rescue operations remained active. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority temporarily suspended all river ferry services as a result of the accident.

American Cruise Lines released a statement confirming the collision and noting close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. The cause of the allision remains under investigation. Additional updates are expected as emergency crews complete their sweeps of the area and assess the structural stability of the partially submerged vessel.