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

The board of commissioners of the port of New Orleans filed the lawsuit in federal court late Friday, naming the Atlantic Asphalt tanker, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its management company Thome Ship Management as defendants. The crash occurred at about 12.30pm when the tanker struck the American Heritage cruise ship at the port's Thalia Street terminal while passengers were disembarking.

The collision caused the river boat to flip onto its side, injuring more than 30 people and triggering a successful rescue effort. Despite the severity of the crash, all 197 passengers aboard the American Heritage were accounted for, with no deaths or critical injuries reported.

Legal Action

The port estimates that repairs to the terminal will exceed $1m, though officials are still determining the full scope of the destruction. In addition to repair costs, the port is pursuing compensation for cleanup operations, inspections, and other expenses stemming from the collision.

Aftermath

The port has obtained a federal court order authorizing the seizure of the Atlantic Asphalt, with federal judge Wendy Vitter approving the request on Friday. The lawsuit alleges that the tanker and its operators failed to comply with safety requirements and did not take appropriate precautions to prevent the collision.

New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno characterized the outcome as a "miracle on the Mississippi," crediting effective performance by local, state and federal first responders. Port officials indicated that additional defendants could be named and the damages sought could increase as more details emerge.