The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into a fatal allision involving the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge that killed two people.
The 90.5-meter tall ship, carrying 277 crew and trainees, was departing Pier 17 at South Street Seaport on the evening of May 17 when the incident occurred. Initial NTSB findings show the vessel’s speed unexpectedly increased from 2 to 6 knots (3.7 to 11 km/h) while moving in reverse. At approximately 8:24 p.m., just five minutes after leaving the pier with tug assistance, the Cuauhtémoc struck the bridge. The ship came to a complete stop three minutes later upriver from the collision site. Conditions at the time included 10 knots (18.5 km/h) westerly winds and minimal 0.3 knots (0.55 km/h) upriver current.
The collision damaged all three of the ship’s masts, though the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no significant structural damage.
NTSB Investigator-in-Charge Brian Young said the probe will examine:
- Navigation operations
- Marine engineering systems
- Bridge safety factors
- Emergency procedures
- Data recorder information
Investigators will also review tugboat assistance protocols. The agency is working with Mexican authorities to board the vessel, but has not yet interviewed the captain or pilot.
Following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard established a 150-meter safety zone between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The Cuauhtémoc is now moored at Pier 36 on the East River, with a 45-meter safety perimeter in place as officials assess damage.
McAllister Towing, which operated the assisting tug Charles D. McAllister, stated their crew provided departure assistance and emergency support after the collision. The company confirmed full cooperation with investigators.
The NTSB expects to release preliminary findings within 30 days as U.S. and Mexican authorities continue their joint investigation.
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