Cruise ship with 129 on board capsizes in the Mississippi River after being struck by tanker in Port of New Orleans | 13 Nov 2026 | A huge paddle wheel pleasure boat with 129 people on board started sinking into the Mississippi River after being struck by a tanker. The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked on the river in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Friday when it was struck by the 520-foot long Atlantic Asphalt shortly after midday. Disturbing images have since emerged showing passengers aboard the cruise line holding on to railings for their lives as the ship started to capsize. In another horrific video, the cruise ship, which is five stories tall and can hold 150 passengers, was seen being pulled into the water as the tanker scraped past it.