Friday the 13th on the Mississippi: All Survive

NEW ORLEANS — Tamara Carrasco was in the dining room of the American Heritage when she saw a tanker bearing down on the docked riverboat. The retired Atlanta elementary school teacher ran toward the other side. The impact knocked her to the floor. When she looked back toward the dining room, she saw water pouring through the shattered windows.

The 520-foot Atlantic Asphalt struck the paddlewheeler around 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, near the Crescent City Connection bridge. The American Heritage was finishing an eight-day cruise through Louisiana and Mississippi and had tied up about two hours earlier to let passengers off. The Port of New Orleans said about 129 passengers were aboard, along with crew members.

Within minutes, the riverboat began to tilt. It rolled onto its side while rescuers were still getting people off. From the dock, port worker Devon Flanagan saw nearby vessels move in to help as passengers struggled in the river. Tugboat crews, police, firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard joined the rescue. Two officers also ended up in the water and were pulled out.

In a nearby auditorium, cruise line staff took roll. Passengers who had lost phones needed a way to call home. Some had lost IDs or car keys. As families waited for word, officials were also arranging food, hotel rooms and transportation.

By late afternoon, Mayor Helena Moreno said everyone aboard had been accounted for. Thirty-two people were taken to hospitals, and none had critical injuries.

“We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” Moreno said.

The Coast Guard closed a three-mile stretch of the river to vessel traffic after the crash. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said the tanker may have lost steering. The cause remained under investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board announced it was sending investigators.

While waiting in the emergency room at University Medical Center, Carrasco reached her older sister by phone. “This is the most memorable Friday the 13th I’ve ever had,” she told her.