The Port of New Orleans has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the tanker that crashed into a docked cruise ship in the Mississippi River on Friday. The lawsuit seeks at least $1 million in damages from those connected to the tanker, Atlantic Asphalt. The tanker's owner, Nave Shipping SA, and its management company, Thome Ship Management, are also named as defendants. The crash occurred at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker crashed into the American Heritage river cruise paddleboat, which was docked at the Thalia Street terminal for disembarkation of passengers. There were almost 200 people on board the American Heritage at the time of the crash, which left the ship on its side and partially submerged. Fortunately, all passengers and crew survived, including more than 100 who were rescued from the river. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described the incident as "the miracle on the Mississippi."
The crash resulted in significant damage to the Thalia Street terminal, with physical damage estimated to exceed $1 million. The port commissioners expect to incur additional costs, including clean-up, surveys, repair, replacement, and salvage costs. The lawsuit states that the collision occurred due to the negligence, gross negligence, fault, or carelessness of Atlantic Asphalt, Nave Shipping SA, and Thome Ship Management. A federal judge approved a request to seize the tanker to cover costs.
As of Saturday, eight people remained in the hospital, two in serious condition. Mayor Moreno reported that the Atlantic Asphalt had been towed away from the site, but noted it could take weeks to fully remove the American Heritage. The Coast Guard is working to fully reopen the river and safely remove hazardous material on board the American Heritage. An estimated 160,000 gallons of fuel are on board the ship.
Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham stated that operations are focused on monitoring the area for any pollution and assessing the best approach to remove the ship. The exact cause of the crash is unknown, but Burnham noted that the tanker appeared to have an issue with steering. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and has recovered the tanker's voyage data recorder.
The voyage data recorder will provide crucial information on the ship's speed and maneuverings leading up to the crash. A preliminary report by the NTSB is expected within 30 days, with the final report on probable causes and safety recommendations coming in 18 to 24 months. The incident has raised concerns about safety on the Mississippi River.
The incident highlights the importance of safety measures and regulations in the shipping industry. The Port of New Orleans and the Coast Guard are working together to ensure that the river is safe for traffic and that hazardous materials are handled properly. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Key points
- The Port of New Orleans is seeking $1 million in damages from the owners and operators of the tanker involved in the crash.
- The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
- The incident resulted in significant damage to the Thalia Street terminal and over 100 people were rescued from the river.
