A Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday after reportedly losing power, killing two people and injuring at least 19. The vessel’s mast height exceeded the bridge’s clearance, leading to a collapse of all three masts. U.S. and Mexican authorities are jointly investigating the incident, and the results will be shared transparently, according to officials.
Mexican Navy Ship Collision with Brooklyn Bridge Under Investigation
Authorities in New York are investigating the circumstances surrounding a deadly maritime accident in which a Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing two fatalities and injuring at least 19 others.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when the Cuauhtémoc, a tall sailing ship from Mexico’s Navy, struck the iconic bridge. Early assessments by police indicate the vessel lost power prior to the collision. Video footage captured the dramatic moment the ship’s three towering masts buckled as shocked onlookers watched from the shore.
Investigation Underway Following Fatal Tall Ship Accident
Despite the severity of the crash, authorities confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no structural damage. It reopened to traffic later that same night. The Cuauhtémoc—which boasts a mast height of 48.2 meters (158 feet)—was unable to clear the bridge’s center span, which has a 41.1-meter (135-foot) vertical clearance, according to data from the New York Department of Transportation.
The ship’s three masts were completely destroyed in the collision, and it has since been relocated to a nearby pier for further inspection. Emergency responders evacuated at least 27 individuals for medical treatment. All 277 crew members aboard the vessel have been accounted for, according to New York fire officials.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to support the ongoing investigation, which involves both American and Mexican authorities. Mexico’s Navy Secretary, Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, pledged “total transparency and responsibility” in uncovering the causes of the crash.Cuauhtémoc Was on Tour Ahead of Scotland’s Tall Ships Race
The Cuauhtémoc had departed Acapulco, Mexico, on 6 April for a scheduled tour that included stops in New York and Aberdeen, Scotland. The vessel was expected to participate in the Tall Ships Race this July in Aberdeen—a globally recognized event celebrating maritime training ships.
The tragic accident now casts a shadow over the rest of the tour and raises broader questions about navigation safety for tall ships operating near major infrastructure. The final outcome of the binational investigation is expected to inform future safety protocols.
