Kreindler Monitoring Atlantic Asphalt Tanker Collision with American Cruise Lines Riverboat in New Orleans, Louisiana
What Happened
On Friday, November 13, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. The impact caused the riverboat to take on water and eventually capsize, leaving passengers and crew members in the water as emergency responders worked to evacuate the vessel.
Approximately 180 to 190 passengers and crew members were reported to have been aboard the American Heritage. A news article reported that authorities confirmed everyone aboard was accounted for and that 32 people were transported to area hospitals, one of which had serious injuries.
Earlier this year, Kreindler maritime attorneys Dan Rose and Kevin Mahoney successfully settled another well-publicized case in which a large container ship named the MV Dali lost electrical power, propulsion, and steering and tragically struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, causing a portion of the bridge to collapse and killing 6 people who were on the bridge at the time of the crash.
In the Media
Preliminary Investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The Coast Guard has announced plans to convene a Marine Board of Investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NTSB announce that they are launching a Go Team to New Orleans to investigate the allision.
A U.S. Coast Guard officer said that the tanker may have experienced a steering failure before striking the docked riverboat. However, investigators have not yet established the cause of the allision. The investigation will likely examine the tanker's steering and propulsion systems, vessel operations, navigation and communications, as well as the circumstances surrounding the riverboat's evacuation and capsizing.
What Deadlines May Apply to a Passenger Injury Claim?
Litigation resulting from ship incidents present unusual challenges that should be addressed by a legal team experienced in the specific issues unique to maritime laws. These laws include Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and the Oregon Rule.
In maritime law, the Oregon Rule is a well-established admiralty doctrine stating that when a moving vessel under its own power strikes a stationary object (such as a dock, pier, bridge, or moored/anchored ship) - the moving vessel is presumed to be at fault.
These laws may also establish statutory and contractual deadlines for bringing personal injury claims.
Damages will likely be governed by Maritime Law, the Jones Act and possibly the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
Additional issues to be aware of:
American Cruise Lines ticket contract:
It is likely that a Notice of Claim against ACL would need to be filed within 6 months from the date of the incident.A cruise line company can establish its own deadlines, but under U.S. federal statute 46 U.S.C. § 30508, the owner of a vessel carrying passengers between U.S. ports can’t allow less than six months to give notice of a claim or less than one year to sue.
Read the American Cruise Lines ticket.
The company publishes information on the internet regarding this topic.
https://www.americancruiselines.com/general-information/terms-and-conditionsThe Limitation of Liability Act of 1851
If a Limitation of Liability action is filed by the owner of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker, the Court may require claims to be filed within 6 months.Sometimes called the Limitation Act or the Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, this law allows a ship owner to limit the amount they're responsible for in case of damage during a maritime accident.
3-year Statute of Limitations
For most maritime personal injury lawsuits, U.S. federal statute 46 U.S.C. § 30106 sets a three-year limit from the date the claim arose. That would usually govern a claim against the tanker, since a cruise ship passenger never signed a contract with them.
However other maritime laws and likely scenarios could shorten this deadline
Kreindler's Experience with Maritime Accidents
Kreindler attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals and families affected by serious maritime accidents, including vessel collisions, allisions and catastrophic injuries aboard commercial vessels.
Most notably, Kreindler played a leading role in the litigation arising from the March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, when the cargo ship Dali struck the bridge, killing six people. Kreindler Partner Daniel O. Rose was appointed lead counsel and led the prosecution on behalf of the personal injury and wrogful death claimants with Kreindler Partner Kevin J. Mahoney. The firm successfully settled claims on behalf of five victims of the disaster in May 2026.
Notable cases involving maritime law that Kreindler has handled include:
Kreindler's maritime practice has experience navigating the complex legal issues that arise in major vessel accidents, including the Limitation of Liability Act, admiralty jurisdiction, maritime personal injury claims and the laws governing passenger vessel liability.
About Kreindler
Kreindler & Kreindler was recently recognized as 2026 Aviation Law Firm of the Year and 2024 Transportation Law Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal and Law.com. The firm's attorneys have been appointed leading counsel in nearly every major commercial airline disaster case in the U.S. and abroad. The firm maintains an unmatched record of success representing people globally who have been injured or lost family members in international and domestic transportation disasters. Kreindler has offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.