The Mexican Navy’s tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, departed New York City last Saturday. The ship’s six-month stay in the city, resulting from a collision with the Brooklyn Bridge, came to an end. Approximately 300 spectators gathered at Pier 86 near the Intrepid Museum to witness the vessel’s departure as it set course for Cozumel, as reported by ABC7 New York.
The Cuauhtémoc's return marked the conclusion of a journey closely followed by those impacted by the May 17 incident, which resulted in the deaths of two sailors and injuries to 19 others. According to the South Street Seaport Museum, the ship was built in 1981 in Spain and has since played a key role in Mexico’s naval education and heritage, representing the legacy of 31 generations of naval officers. "We are very proud of the Cuauhtémoc, which has been crossing the seas of the world since 1986, when it was built," Marcos Augustus Bucio Mujica, Mexico’s consul general in New York, told The New York Post.
Carmen Ortiz, a retired teacher, attended to see off her nephew, a shipboard doctor noted for his response following the collision. "He is a traumatologist," Ortiz revealed in an interview with The New York Post.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate why the vessel unexpectedly moved backward and struck the New York architectural icon, despite pilot commands to the contrary. Although the investigation "could take a year or more," community members are already looking ahead, anticipating future events involving the Cuauhtémoc. Chris O’Brien, president of Sail 4th 250, expressed hope that the ship will return for America’s 250th birthday maritime celebration next year. "We're doing the big event for next year, and we're very hopeful that the Cuauhtémoc and the Mexican Navy will be coming back to join us for the events," O’Brien shared with The New York Post.
Following extensive repairs at Caddell Repair & Dry Dock Co. on Staten Island and a successful sea trial last month, the Cuauhtémoc is now sailing back to its home waters. The repairs restored the three masts and the vessel’s systems to operational status, and the ship has resumed its journey.
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