Tanker Hits Cruise Ship with over 100 People on Board in New Orleans

A tanker crashed into a New Orleans cruise ship while 129 passengers were on board, partially sinking the boat in the Mississippi River on Friday.

Rescue efforts were under way Friday afternoon, officials said. It wasn't clear if there were any injuries or fatalities.

The cruise ship, a paddle-wheeler named American Heritage, was docked at the Port of New Orleans when it was hit around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to Kimberly Curth, a spokeswoman for the port.

Video showed the ship slowly tipping to its side as people clung to railings. Dozens of emergency vehicles were waiting with their lights flashing near the river front and police officers cordoned off the port entrance.

River cruise ships typically don't have keels to help with stability because they often move in shallow waters, making them vulnerable to capsizing if they are hit, according to Fotis Pagoulatos, a naval architect in Athens.

American Cruise Lines, which owns the American Heritage and operates other small ship cruises around the country, said guests and crew were being evacuated. "We are deeply concerned for everyone involved," the company said.

The Atlantic Asphalt tanker that hit the cruise ship is owned by China State Shipbuilding Corp., according to ship tracker MarineTraffic. China State Shipbuilding didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.