Key facts
- The American Heritage was docked outside the port of New Orleans's administrative building when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker hit it, per WVUE.
- About 129 passengers were aboard the American Heritage, in addition to crew members, a port official told WVUE.
- An emergency response source said it was possible the tanker had lost power before the collision.
A tanker collided with an overnight cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, November 13, 2026, prompting a large emergency response, according to officials.
The vessel struck was American Cruise Lines' American Heritage, a New Orleans port official told local news outlet WVUE. About 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker hit the ship, the outlet reported, citing the spokesperson.
An emergency response source said efforts were underway to rescue people from the water. That source said it was possible the tanker had lost power before striking the American Heritage. Images on social media showed the American Heritage on its side. It was docked on the Mississippi River outside the port of New Orleans's administrative building when it was hit.