New Orleans port seeks tanker seizure after cruise ship collision

The Port of New Orleans filed a federal lawsuit on Friday, 13 November, seeking to have the tanker that struck a docked river cruise boat seized and sold to cover collision-related costs, according to bbc.com. The port says the crash caused more than $1 million in damage to its terminal; the collision also sent people to hospital.

• The suit names the M/V Atlantic Asphalt, its owner Nave Shipping SA and manager Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd.
• The port seeks money for cleanup, inspections, repairs and other expenses, and asks for the tanker to be seized and sold.
• The vessel’s steering failure and the final damage amount have not been established.

What the lawsuit seeks

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleges that the tanker and operating companies were negligent or at fault and failed to use available means to avoid hitting the stationary riverboat. Those are allegations in the filing, not a court finding. The port says the damage exceeds $1 million, but the full extent is still being assessed. It seeks recovery for cleanup, inspections, repairs and other expenses, and asks that the tanker be seized and sold to pay the claim, bbc.com reported.

The Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon as the passenger boat was docked. The cruise boat was left on its side and partly submerged. The BBC reported that more than 100 passengers were rescued and 32 people from the riverboat were taken to hospital with non-critical injuries. Associated Press, republished by PBS NewsHour, said all 197 passengers and crew aboard the American Heritage survived and eight people remained hospitalized on Saturday; it also reported that two police officers were among those taken to hospital after being thrown into the river as the boat rolled.

What it means

A judge issued a warrant on Friday giving federal officials control of the tanker for the time being, the Associated Press reported. That puts the vessel under federal control while investigators examine the collision. CBS News reported that the lawsuit allows for further parties to be identified and added as the investigation continues.

The cause remains undetermined. The BBC quoted US Coast Guard Capt Melanie Burnham as saying there appeared to have been some type of loss of steering. Thome said its tanker crew was safe and accounted for and that it was complying with local authorities during the investigation. CBS News said Nave Shipping and Thome had not immediately responded to its requests for comment on the lawsuit.