A Mexican navy tall ship suffered a disastrous collision with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, resulting in snapped masts and multiple injuries among its crew. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when the Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel of the Mexican Navy, struck the underside of the iconic 142-year-old bridge as it sailed along the East River, according to AP News.
The impressive vessel, carrying 277 people, was departing from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport Museum when it encountered what officials described as a mechanical failure. "The pilot lost power of the ship," explained New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a late-night press conference, as reported by NBC New York. The current subsequently pulled the powerless ship directly into the bridge's pillar, causing its 147-foot masts to snap dramatically upon impact.
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Injuries and Response
The collision resulted in 19 injuries, with four people in serious condition, according to Mayor Adams. Initial reports had suggested someone may have died, but this was not confirmed in official statements. Some of the most seriously injured were crew members who had been positioned on the masts at the time of the collision, as noted by ABC News.
The scene quickly turned dramatic as bystanders watched crew members dangling from ropes attached to the snapped masts. Emergency responders from the NYPD Harbor Unit and FDNY converged on the scene, with divers entering the water as a precautionary measure. "Originally, we had a Brooklyn box out for folks in the water, for a boat in distress," said FDNY Chief of Training Michael Meyers in a statement shared by NBC New York.
About the Vessel
The Cuauhtémoc is no ordinary ship – it's a sail training vessel of the Mexican Navy with a rich history spanning over four decades. Built at the Celaya Shipyards in Bilbao, Spain in 1981, the vessel serves as a training ship for Mexican naval officers and cadets. Sometimes referred to as the "Ambassador and Knight of the Seas," the 270-foot barque has sailed over 4 million nautical miles across the world's oceans, according to information from Wikipedia and the City of San Diego.
The vessel had been docked at Pier 17 since May 13 and was open for public tours throughout the week. The ship was embarking on the next leg of its ambitious journey – a 254-day voyage set to include 22 ports across 15 nations, with Iceland as its next destination. This global training cruise was cut dramatically short by Saturday's accident, as pointed out by CBC News.
Bridge Status
Despite the dramatic collision, the Brooklyn Bridge appears to have escaped major structural damage. "While inspections will remain ongoing, there are no signs of structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge," said the New York City Department of Transportation in a statement cited by ABC News. The bridge was temporarily closed following the accident but reopened before 11 p.m., though commuters were advised to expect delays.
The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, spans the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. It features a main span of nearly 490 meters supported by two masonry towers and accommodates more than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians daily, as noted by CBC News.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation into the incident, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. While preliminary information suggests a mechanical failure was the primary cause, a full review will be conducted to determine exactly what went wrong, as reported by NBC New York.
The Mexican Navy acknowledged the accident in a post on social media platform X, stating that "during the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being," as quoted by People.
Historical Context
While Saturday's incident was dramatic, it's not the first time a vessel has collided with a New York City bridge. According to maritime safety records, ship-bridge collisions are not uncommon globally. A world shipping association reports at least 35 major bridge collapses worldwide from 1960 to 2015 due to ship or barge collisions, according to AP News.
The East River itself has seen maritime disasters in the past, most notably the PS General Slocum disaster of 1904, which remains the worst maritime disaster in New York City history. That catastrophic fire and sinking claimed over 1,000 lives. While the Brooklyn Bridge has occasionally faced incidents over its 142-year history, including a cable slip in 1922 due to high traffic loads, the structure has proven remarkably resilient, as documented on Wikipedia.
Legal Implications
The incident raises potential legal questions regarding liability, maritime regulations, and safety protocols. New York City Council member Lincoln Restler, whose district includes the Brooklyn side of the bridge, called it "an exceptionally reckless and negligent incident," as quoted by The Washington Post. Maritime law experts may examine whether proper clearance assessments were conducted, as the Cuauhtémoc's masts topped at 147 feet while the Brooklyn Bridge has a clearance of only 127 feet.
Questions about proper navigation in New York's busy waterways, adherence to established routes, and communication protocols will likely be central to the investigation. International maritime agreements may also come into play since the vessel belongs to the Mexican Navy, potentially involving complex jurisdictional questions as the investigation proceeds.
The Cuauhtémoc is currently being moved to Pier 36 for further assessment while officials continue to investigate the cause of the accident and assess the full extent of damages to both the vessel and the bridge.
