DMW confirms Pinoy crew safety amid Mississippi River ship collision

Seventeen Filipino seafarers were confirmed safe after the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker they were aboard collided with a US passenger riverboat on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana last Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Sunday.

In an advisory, the DMW said it is closely monitoring the maritime incident involving the asphalt and bitumen tanker Atlantic Asphalt, which struck the American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage.

Initial reports indicated that the tanker may have suffered steering or maneuvering difficulties prior to the impact, prompting emergency responders to launch immediate rescue and medical assistance operations.

Verification with the vessel's local manning agency confirmed that all 17 Filipino crew members aboard the Atlantic Asphalt are safe and accounted for.

The agency is currently compiling the individual records of the seafarers to facilitate proper documentation and continued welfare monitoring.

The US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the collision.

The DMW assured the public that it will continue coordinating with relevant maritime authorities and the manning agency to ensure the ongoing safety and welfare of the Filipino crew.