Key takeaways:
- The NTSB says the Atlantic Asphalt’s rudder became stuck to starboard about two minutes before Friday’s collision; the cause of the steering failure remains unknown.
- All aboard the American Heritage survived, and 32 people were taken to hospitals.
- The Port of New Orleans is seeking at least $1 million in damages, and four cruise ship crew members have filed a separate lawsuit.
A tanker’s rudder became stuck to starboard about two minutes before it struck a docked cruise ship on the Mississippi River, federal safety investigators said Sunday. The collision near New Orleans tipped the American Heritage riverboat onto its side and sent 32 people to hospitals.
The National Transportation Safety Board said its account of the steering failure was preliminary. Investigators have not determined what caused it. The collision occurred around 12:30 p.m. Friday as the Atlantic Asphalt tanker traveled upriver and veered toward the river’s east bank, where the American Heritage was docked at the Thalia Street terminal for passengers to disembark.
“It experienced the steering casualty, resulting in the rudder remaining to starboard,” Bart Barnum, the NTSB’s senior marine accident investigator, said at a Sunday briefing. “Following the steering casualty, the Atlantic Asphalt veered to starboard toward the east bank of the river.”
Audio recovered from the tanker captured its whistle, radio warnings and requests for assistance, commands to drop its anchors and emergency ship-handling orders before impact, Barnum said. The BBC reported that the NTSB is examining the possible causes of the steering problem.
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was finishing an eight-day voyage with stops in Louisiana and Mississippi. About 190 passengers and crew were aboard, according to The Guardian; the BBC, citing the port authority, reported about 129 passengers plus crew members. The boat listed, tipped onto its side and partially submerged. All passengers and crew were accounted for and survived.
Thirty-two people were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not critical at the time, the BBC reported. NPR reported that eight remained hospitalized Saturday, two in serious condition. NPR also reported that more than 100 people were rescued from the river. Mayor Helena Moreno called the outcome “the miracle on the Mississippi.”
Rescuers, including tugboat operators and police, helped passengers escape as authorities halted river traffic during the response. The tanker was later towed away, but Moreno said Saturday that fully removing the American Heritage could take weeks. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said crews were assessing how to remove the vessel safely and monitoring for pollution. She estimated that it carried 160,000 gallons of fuel. Restrictions remained in place for boat traffic.
The Port of New Orleans has sued the tanker’s owner, Nave Shipping SA, and its management company, Thome Ship Management. NPR reported that the port is seeking at least $1 million for damage to the terminal and expects further cleanup, repair and salvage costs. A federal judge approved the port’s request to seize the tanker, NPR reported. The port alleges that negligence or other fault caused the collision; those claims have not been resolved.
Four American Heritage crew members have filed a separate lawsuit against the companies, alleging they suffered “significant and life changing injuries to their mind and body,” The Guardian reported.
The NTSB is leading the safety investigation with the Coast Guard and other participants. It expects to issue a preliminary report within 30 days. NPR reported that a final report on the probable cause and safety recommendations is expected in 18 to 24 months.
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