Following the recent incident where a Mexican Navy tall ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, federal investigators assured the public that the landmark structure remains sound. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been investigating since the Mexican Navy's Cuauhtémoc, a 300-foot training ship, made impact over the weekend. According to Gothamist, NTSB member Michael Graham stated that despite the collision, the bridge endured "no significant structural damage" and maintained its integrity.
The unfortunate event resulted in the deaths of two sailors and injuries to at least 22 others. As the NTSB delves into the details of the crash, they aim to determine whether factors like wind and tide influenced the vessel's movement before it struck the bridge. From start to near-end, the timeline of the ship's movement before the collision, as outlined by NTSB marine accident investigator Brian Young and reported by CBS News, spanned just 10 minutes, with the ship starting to back away from the dock at 8:20 p.m. and coming to a stop by 8:27 p.m., after hitting the bridge.
The broader implications of such accidents are also being considered, as the NTSB's report in March identified several New York bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge, as vulnerable to possible collapse if hit by ships. However, the Brooklyn Bridge's resilience in this case was above the threshold of risk for catastrophic failure, a relief echoed by the report's findings. As the Brooklyn Bridge approaches its 142nd birthday on May 24, the sombre events leading up to it have been felt by the local community and maritime professionals worldwide.
Videos of the crash showed crew members in a precarious situation, with the ship's three masts breaking upon impact. This has raised questions and concerns about the ceremony and procedures during such naval departures. Capt. James Staples, a maritime expert not involved in the crash, mentioned important considerations like anchor readiness and engine-shutdown procedures that need to be examined. Meanwhile, the Mexican authorities have identified the deceased as 20-year-old cadet América Yamilet Sánchez and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, with mourners leaving tributes at Pier 36, as per a report by CBS News.
In response to questions about the efficiency of vessel traffic services during the incident, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refuted claims of a hiring freeze affecting operations. An official DHS statement countered Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's assertions, noting that "the US Coast Guard has been fully supported and been exempt from hiring freezes." The statement emphasized that the incident's cause involved vessel propulsion in high current areas, an issue requiring on-the-spot responses and support from nearby tugs. The U.S. Coast Guard also clarified that their vehicle traffic service was fully functional and adhering to procedures for managing commercial traffic and ensuring safe navigation, as per the CBS News.
