Tanker crashes into Mississippi paddleboat; 197 survive

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 00:13 · Archive

A tanker has collided with a paddleboat docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, capsizing the vessel but leaving all 197 people aboard alive.

A tanker owned by a subsidiary of a Chinese company collided with the American Heritage paddleboat docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday. The impact capsized the cruise ship, which remains on its side against a terminal. All 197 passengers and crew on the American Heritage survived, as did the tanker's crew.

32 people were taken to hospital, including two police officers who were thrown into the Mississippi River when the boat rolled. None of the injuries were critical, and eight remained hospitalised on Saturday. Passenger Joe Knab told WDSU-TV that the first warning came when the tanker blasted its horn several times as it floated toward the cruise ship before hitting hard.

The Port of New Orleans sued within hours, seeking to have federal investigators seize the Atlantic Asphalt tanker. The port claimed it caused at least $1.5 million in damage to its terminal. A judge issued a warrant giving federal officials control of the ship. The tanker appeared to lose steering, though the exact cause of the crash is not known, according to Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham.

The National Transportation Safety Board recovered the tanker's voyage data recorder and assigned a 16-member team to investigate. A preliminary report is expected within 24 to 30 days, with a final report in 18 to 24 months. Raising the capsized paddleboat could take weeks.

How it is being reported

• Tanker that crashed into Mississippi paddleboat suedIt could take weeks to raise a capsized cruise boat which remains on its side against a terminal in the Mississippi River after being hit by a tanker.Perth Now · 14 Nov, 23:40
• Tanker that crashed into Mississippi paddleboat suedIt could take weeks to raise a capsized cruise boat which remains on its side against a terminal in the Mississippi River after being hit by a tanker.The West Australian · 14 Nov, 23:40

In this story: American Heritage · New Orleans · Mississippi River · Atlantic Asphalt · National Transportation Safety Board · Port of New Orleans

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log