A tanker struck a docked river cruise boat with approximately 129 passengers aboard on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, Nov. 13, and rescue crews were still at work into the afternoon, the Port of New Orleans said.

The port said the tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with American Cruise Lines' American Heritage at about 12:30 p.m. Central time (10:30 a.m. Pacific). The riverboat was docked outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, where it had tied up about two hours earlier so passengers could get off. Crew members were also aboard.

The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River to vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 while crews responded. The port said the number of injuries and the cause of the collision remained unconfirmed.

Who is responding

The Mississippi River curves past the downtown New Orleans riverfront toward the Crescent City Connection
The Mississippi River along the downtown New Orleans riverfront in February 2024.Miguel Discart / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical crews are working the scene, according to the port. Passengers are being taken into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place for triage and help.

New Orleans' emergency preparedness office asked people to avoid the area so responders could work, and later said the RTA ferry across the Mississippi was suspended as a precaution. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority listed the Algiers Point Ferry out of service. Riders should use another route. NOLA Ready asked people seeking information about someone who may have been involved to call 311 from within New Orleans or 504-539-3266 from outside the city. Gov. Jeff Landry said he was in close contact with local officials and law enforcement and was on his way to New Orleans.

What the cruise line says

A cargo ship passes the downtown New Orleans skyline under heavy clouds
A cargo ship passes downtown New Orleans on the Mississippi in October 2023.LostplanetKD73 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

American Cruise Lines confirmed that its riverboat was hit while docked.

"We are in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved," the company said, adding that it will share more as it becomes available.

Officials had yet to describe the condition of either vessel.