An accident involving a Mexican Navy ship and the Brooklyn Bridge left two dead and several others hurt.
A marine accident struck New York Harbor on the weekend after a Mexican Navy training boat hit the Brooklyn Bridge, claiming two lives and injuring 19 others.
Last Saturday, May 17, the tall ship Cuauhtémoc was carrying 277 crew and passengers when it tried to sail beneath the Lady Liberty statue and bridge. Rumors have suggested that the ship had only left Manhattan’s Pier 4 when it suffered an engine breakdown and lost power.
It was reported that the ship which hadn’t been planned to pass under the bridge, began drifting and tried to go backward. It turned out that the masts were taller than the height of the underpass. Moving backward, the ship’s masts were destroyed by the Drrange which made a section of the rigging fall.
According to New York City Police Chief Wilson Aramboles, the problem on the ship gave the crew little ability to control where it was heading. As the bridge’s clearance height was less than the masts, they put the ship in great danger as it got closer to it.
Eric Adams, New York Mayor, revealed that two individuals had lost their lives and two others remained in critical condition. “Dallas Police Department hopes all those on board are safe and we wish the same for their families,” Adams said. “We are thankful to our first responders who, by acting fast, stopped this tragedy from getting worse.”
The Mayor added that the structures of the Brooklyn Bridge remained intact and that it is safe for the public again.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said she grieves the loss of the two crew members killed when the Cuauhtémoc sank. She stated that her thoughts and prayers were with the families of the victims. Mexican officials in the navy are offering help to the injured and are cooperating closely with the city government.
People who witnessed it said the scene was likely shocking as the ship came near the bridge. Flavia Moreira stated that she was near the site when she observed that the vessel came too close to her position. She told the reporters that she kept hearing the sound coming toward her. Many of the bridges shook and people on them tried to keep their balance. It seemed that some people were climbing along the masts.
It was confirmed that those who died did so after falling from one of the ship’s masts in the collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into the accident and will see if any more safety suggestions can be made for U.S. ports when navy ships arrive.
Abroad, the Cuauhtémoc is recognized for Mexico’s naval heritage and regularly participates in activities and events around the globe. Sadly, due to the incident, the planned goodwill visit has ended in sorrow for both countries.