The tanker that crashed into a docked New Orleans riverboat, injuring dozens of people, had been cited repeatedly for safety and equipment problems by maritime officials.
The Atlantic Asphalt was issued multiple violations involving issues that ranged from faulty navigation systems to lifeboats that could not be deployed properly during an emergency, according to Nola.com. The findings came from the US Coast Guard, Canadian authorities and European shipping regulators.
Eight people remained hospitalized after the 15,000-ton asphalt tanker struck American Cruise Lines’ docked American Heritage on the Mississippi River Friday.
Nearly 200 people were aboard the riverboat when the collision occurred. Thirty-two people, including two harbor police officers, were taken to hospitals, though none suffered critical injuries.
Some passengers were forced into the river wearing life jackets, while others held on to the vessel’s railings as they waited for help.
In June, the Coast Guard cited the tanker for defective wiring in its pump room. The Canadian Coast Guard and European maritime regulators also documented problems involving the Atlantic Asphalt in 2025.
Inspectors cited the vessel last year for violations, saying its lifeboats were not properly equipped for rapid deployment in an emergency.
The tanker was cited at least twice in July 2024.
During one trip to Baltimore that month, its automatic pilot system jammed. Two months later, the vessel “experienced loss of communication between the bridge and main engine,” according to a Coast Guard report.
The Port of New Orleans, which owns the Thalia Street Terminal where the riverboat was docked, sued the Liberia-based company that owns the Atlantic Asphalt and a Singapore-based company that managed the tanker’s voyage Friday.
Disturbing video from the scene appeared to show the tanker losing steering control before striking the docked riverboat. The American Heritage then partially submerged on its side as panicked passengers clung to the railings.
Maritime law attorney Cara Miller told Nola.com that the vessel’s record of problems was especially striking because the tanker is relatively new.
“As a whole, it does stand out that there are so many ‘improper/lack of maintenance’ deficiencies,” she said.