Port of New Orleans Sues Tanker Over Collision That Injured 32, Rescued Over 100 Passengers

A federal lawsuit filed by the Port of New Orleans accuses the owners and managers of the M/V Atlantic Asphalt of causing a collision with the paddlewheel cruise ship American Heritage docked in the port on Friday.

The complaint, filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleges the tanker is at fault, that the incident forced the rescue of more than 100 passengers from the Mississippi River, and that damage exceeded $1 million.

The collision left the American Heritage on its side and partially submerged, and 32 people from the riverboat were hospitalized with non‑critical injuries; no one was unaccounted for.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said the tanker appeared to have experienced a loss of steering, and officials continue to investigate the cause and the full extent of damage to the port terminal, which was described as significantly damaged.

The lawsuit seeks seizure and sale of the Atlantic Asphalt to cover cleanup, inspection, repair and other expenses.