A tanker’s steering system malfunctioned shortly before it collided with a docked cruise ship in New Orleans on Friday, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The cargo vessel, identified as the Atlantic Asphalt, veered toward the east bank of the Mississippi River as it travelled upbound, resulting in a crash that forced the American Heritage riverboat to list and eventually tip onto its side.
During a media briefing on Sunday, NTSB investigator-in-charge Bart Barnum confirmed that the vessel experienced a "steering casualty" that caused the rudder to remain in a starboard position. Investigators noted that audio consistent with the ship's warning system, along with commands to deploy anchors and emergency handling orders, were recorded in the minutes leading up to the impact. The exact cause of the steering failure remains under investigation, with officials stating that many potential mechanical issues are currently being examined.
The incident occurred around 13:30 EST on Friday as the American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was concluding an eight-day trip. Emergency responders, including tugboat operators and police, initiated rescue efforts as the vessel took on water. While initial reports indicated 32 people were hospitalised with non-critical injuries—including two police officers who fell into the river when the boat listed—the city of New Orleans reported that six individuals remained in the hospital as of Sunday. There were approximately 129 to 140 passengers and roughly 50 crew members on board the cruise ship at the time of the collision.
Key facts
- The Atlantic Asphalt tanker measures approximately 520 feet in length and had 19 crew members on board.
- The American Heritage cruise ship measures about 300 feet and carried nearly 190 people, including crew.
- The NTSB expects to release a formal preliminary report on the collision within 30 days.
- The Port of New Orleans has filed a $1 million lawsuit regarding the collision.
Why it matters
The collision prompted a major emergency response on the Mississippi River, leading to a temporary shutdown of river traffic to facilitate passenger rescue. Authorities have confirmed that all persons on the vessel were accounted for following the incident.
Background
The American Heritage cruise ship had been traversing waterways across Louisiana and Mississippi prior to the accident, according to port officials.
Source: BBC, Hindustan Times
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