BREAKING — Friday, November 13, 2026
An American Cruise Lines riverboat capsized and partially sank on the Mississippi River in New Orleans Friday after a tanker slammed into it while it was docked near the French Quarter, sending passengers into the water and triggering a massive rescue operation.
According to the Port of New Orleans, the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the riverboat American Heritage at about 12:30 p.m. local time outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place. The American Heritage had tied up roughly two hours earlier so guests could disembark at the end of their cruise. The U.S. Coast Guard placed the collision near mile marker 96 on the Mississippi.
Everyone accounted for, 32 hospitalized
About 129 passengers plus crew were aboard. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said Friday evening that everyone on both vessels has been accounted for. Thirty-two cruise passengers were taken to area hospitals, none with critical injuries, according to the mayor.
Moreno said the tanker lost control and hit the riverboat while passengers were disembarking. The American Heritage began to sink, then rolled over onto its side, throwing people into the river. Video from the scene showed passengers in life jackets in the water as Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, NOPD, EMS and the Coast Guard pulled them out.
American Cruise Lines confirmed the collision in a statement: “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.”
About the American Heritage
The American Heritage is a paddlewheel riverboat built in 2015 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. It originally sailed as American Eagle and later Queen of the Mississippi before being renovated and renamed in 2022. The ship is homeported in New Orleans and was finishing an eight-day cruise to Mississippi River stops in Louisiana and Mississippi, arriving from Natchez earlier Friday.
What happens next
- The cause of the collision is under investigation. The Coast Guard is expected to lead the inquiry, with the NTSB likely to be involved in a casualty of this size.
- Expect river traffic restrictions near the Port of New Orleans while the scene is secured and the vessel is assessed.
- Guests booked on upcoming American Heritage sailings should watch for direct communication from American Cruise Lines about cancellations or changes.
This is a developing story. NonRev Travel News will update as officials release more information.
Photo: The American Heritage, sailing under its former name Queen of the Mississippi, docked at Dubuque, Iowa in 2018. Photo by Farragutful via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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