The American Heritage capsized after being hit by the 520ft Atlantic Asphalt while docked in New Orleans. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said 32 passengers are in hospital, none with critical injuries.
A couple on a docked cruise ship filmed the moment a huge tanker bore down on them seconds before it hit the vessel on the Mississippi in New Orleans. The American Heritage, run by American Cruise Lines, was struck by the 520ft Atlantic Asphalt shortly after midday on Saturday and capsized onto its side. All 180 people on board were rescued in an operation that has been hailed as the “miracle on the Mississippi”.
The footage
The clip, shared on social media, was filmed from a cabin balcony. It shows the green and red tanker heading directly for the cruise ship. A loud clanking can be heard as a chain is lowered into the water, then the noise stops and the chain goes taut.
The man and woman exclaim “oh gosh” as they realise the tanker is not going to stop in time, and they hurry back inside. “Hang on baby, hang on baby, hang on baby, come on,” the woman says as they make for the cabin door. The video cuts out as they flee.
Other images showed passengers clinging to railings as the five-storey ship began to list. Further clips showed it gradually tipping over until it lay half-submerged on its side. The ship appeared to be pulled into the water as the tanker scraped past. Police officers could be seen running along the dock as terrified passengers screamed.
The rescue
The U.S. Coast Guard, other emergency services and members of the public all took part in the rescue. Ms Moreno said 32 passengers were being treated in local hospitals, and none had critical injuries. Two of them are New Orleans Harbor Police officers who dived into the water to rescue passengers.
President Donald Trump thanked the Coast Guard on Truth Social “for doing such an incredible job of rescue, and other work, having to do with the crash”. He added that “incredibly, nobody was killed by this major collision”.
