The Atlantic Asphalt tanker “lost control” and hit the American Cruise Lines riverboat this afternoon , City of New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said during a news conference. “The passengers began disembarking from the (American Cruise …
So, picture this: you’re on a lovely river cruise in New Orleans, sipping your piña colada, and enjoying the sights of the Mississippi River. Life is good, right? Then, out of nowhere, a tanker decides it’s time to crash the party—literally. Yes, you heard that right. A tanker struck a docked river cruise ship, causing quite the stir and, unfortunately, a bit of chaos.
Now, before you start imagining a scene out of a disaster movie, let’s clarify: the cruise ship didn’t sink to the bottom of the river in a dramatic fashion. Instead, it partially submerged, which sounds like something out of a bad sitcom. “Hey, did you hear about the cruise ship that went for a swim?” But thankfully, all passengers and crew were accounted for, so no one was left behind to fend for themselves with just a life vest and a cocktail umbrella.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The collision resulted in 32 people getting transported to hospitals with injuries. Now, that’s not quite the souvenir you want to bring back from your trip. “Oh, look at this cute keychain from New Orleans! And here’s my hospital bracelet!” Not exactly the highlight of your vacation scrapbook.
In true New Orleans fashion, the incident triggered a rescue operation. Picture emergency responders zipping around, trying to figure out how to get everyone to safety while someone shouts, “Hey, can someone get me a beignet while we’re at it?” It’s a bit of a chaotic scene, but I can’t help but think that if you’re going to have a mishap, New Orleans is the place to do it. Where else can you have a near-miss with a tanker and still have a good time?
Adding to the drama, there was an FAA ground stop due to a telecommunications outage. So, while responders were busy trying to figure out how to rescue people, they also had to deal with tech issues. Talk about a double whammy! It’s like trying to call for help while your phone is stuck on airplane mode. “Hello? Can you hear me now? No? Great!”
In the aftermath of the incident, it’s safe to say that river cruise ships might want to start practicing their evasive maneuvers. Perhaps a little training on how to dodge large vessels could be beneficial. Or maybe they can invest in some inflatable bumpers—because who wouldn’t want to cruise with a little extra padding?
In summary, while this tanker-cruise ship collision sounds like it could have been a scene straight out of a comedy sketch, it thankfully ended with everyone accounted for and safe. So, if you’re planning a river cruise anytime soon, maybe keep an eye out for any approaching tankers. And don’t forget to pack a life vest—just in case!
Inspired by: “Tanker Hits Cruise Ship in New Orleans, Triggering Rescue” (r/Business)