A Mexican Navy training ship lost power and slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night, killing two sailors and injuring at least 22 others in an accident that has heightened concerns over maritime safety around bridges just a year after a cargo vessel destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Despite the impact to life, New York officials said the bridge did not sustain structural damage and reopened shortly after the crash.
The vessel, Cuauhtémoc, was departing Manhattan on a 15-nation goodwill tour when it struck the 142-year-old bridge at about 8:20 p.m., snapping all three of its 160-foot masts and leaving crew members dangling in the rigging as onlookers screamed from the shore.
The ship had been docked at South Street Seaport since last week and was bound for Iceland.
The crash comes amid increased scrutiny of vessel operations in U.S. harbors following the March collapse of the Key Bridge, where large container ship Dali lost power and brought down the structure, killing six workers. That incident prompted renewed calls for tighter port safety protocols and more robust escort requirements for large vessels.
On Saturday, the Cuauhtémoc lost power in fast-moving East River currents as the tide shifted and winds picked up. A tugboat assisting the ship reportedly detached too early, and attempts to re-engage were unsuccessful. Video footage shows the ship drifting backward before striking the bridge.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation. Experts say a combination of mechanical failure, strong currents and inadequate tug support likely contributed to the crash.
“This could have been a lot worse,” said maritime historian Sal Mercogliano in a statement to AP. “The situation highlights the need for careful oversight of harbor navigation, especially with tall or heavy vessels.”
The Cuauhtémoc remains docked at Pier 35 while damage assessments and investigations continue.
Among those who died were 20-year-old América Yamilet Sánchez, an engineering student from Veracruz, Mexico. The ship was carrying 277 crew members.
Source: AP News, ABC 7 New York, CNN
