New Orleans officials file $1m lawsuit after ‘Mississippi miracle’ tanker crash

Key Points:

• New Orleans port officials have filed a federal lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages from the owner and operator of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker, which crashed into the docked American Heritage cruise ship on the Mississippi River, causing it to flip and injuring more than 30 people.
• The port obtained a federal court order authorizing the seizure and sale of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker to cover repair costs, cleanup, inspections, and other expenses related to the collision, which occurred while passengers were disembarking at the Thalia Street terminal.
• The lawsuit alleges negligence and gross negligence by the tanker’s owner Nave Shipping SA, management company Thome Ship Management, and potentially other parties responsible for the tanker’s operation, crewing, and seaworthiness.
• Despite the severity of the crash, all 197 passengers aboard the American Heritage were accounted for with no fatalities or critical injuries; local officials praised the effective response by first responders and noted that the cruise ship’s removal may take several weeks.
• Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the US Coast Guard are ongoing, with initial findings indicating a possible loss of steering on the Atlantic Asphalt before the collision; hazardous fuel removal from the cruise ship remains a priority, and the crash site is restricted.