The Port of New Orleans has filed a federal lawsuit against the tanker that struck a river cruise ship Friday.
Court records show the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans filed the lawsuit against the Atlantic Asphalt, Nave Shipping, and Thome Ship Management. It lists a $1 million demand in the maritime property damage case.
Court records also show the Port asked for a warrant. A federal judge granted that request, and the warrant was issued. No word right now on if it has been served.
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According to the lawsuit, the tanker struck the American Heritage cruise ship Friday afternoon, as passengers were getting off the ship. The port accuses the tanker and the companies responsible for it of failing to follow safety protocols. The port is seeking money to cover cleanup, inspections, repairs, and any other expenses related to the crash.
The tanker has been towed away from the site, but it could take weeks to move the cruise ship, which remains turned on its side against a terminal in the Mississippi River, Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham told reporters Saturday.
The first step is to make sure the 16,000 gallons (60,500 liters) of fuel on the boat are removed safely, she said.
Traffic has been limited on the Mississippi River, but Burnham said boats should be able to move both upstream and downstream soon.
The tanker appeared to lose steering, but the exact cause of the crash is not known, Burnham said. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending investigators to New Orleans.
All 197 passengers and crew on the American Heritage cruise ship survived Friday as well as the crew on the tanker.
Officials said 32 people were brought to the hospital, including two police officers thrown into the Mississippi River when the boat rolled. But none of the injuries were critical and eight remained hospitalized Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
