Tanker collides with riverboat with 129 passengers on board in New Orleans: OfficialsOfficials say rescue operations are underway after the Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the docked American Heritage riverboat, carrying roughly 129 passengers plus crew, on the Mississippi River near New Orleans on November 13; sources say the boat capsized and is actively sinking. The Coast Guard closed the river between mile markers 93 and 96, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says he fears the outcome could be pretty bad.